Border Counties Midweek Sailing Series at Shropshire Sailing Club

Paul Newman (Streaker, 1621) 3rd overall in the Border Counties Midweek Sailing Series at Shropshire Sailing Club © Keith Marshall

Start during the Border Counties Midweek Sailing Series at Shropshire Sailing Club © Brian Herring

Twenty-four boats and 29 sailors from a variety of Border Counties clubs assembled at Shropshire SC for the third leg of this popular midweek series. It was the first time that Shropshire SC had been chosen to be part of the 2025 series.

The weather that was sunny with a blustery south westerly 20 - 25 mph wind certainly gave everyone who was sailing on Whitemere for the first time some exciting downwind planing.

Race 1

The wind gusts created an exciting start as the boats and their crew attempted to arrive in a timely fashion at the line as the gun went. To mitigate the risk of collisions at the start with OCS boats returning over the start line the race officer had chosen to invoke RRS 30.1 using flag I. Once again, those who read the wind shifts and made the least mistakes to the windward mark commanded the race leadership.

Picking up the gusts that traversed the lake. The fast off-wind legs gave everyone an exciting ride down towards the leeward marks. Lap times of seven and eight minutes kept everyone on their game.

Peter Coop and Paul Newman sailing their Streakers 2177 and 1621 having judged their starts perfectly remained in front of the fleet for the remainder of race. Some excellent sailing by Nayth Twiggs in his Topper 49191 allowed him to win the race on corrected time.

Lunch was enjoyed on the lawn in the sunshine.

Race 2

Over lunch, the wind had strengthened slightly giving the helms and their crews no margin for error on the start line. Once again everyone got away cleanly on the starting hooter. Remaining on the left-hand side of the windward leg before tacking onto port for the windward mark.

Ready for take off during the Border Counties Midweek Sailing Series at Shropshire Sailing Club - photo © Brian Herring

Although the Streakers remained in a strong position,Ted Garner (Solo 6107), John Jones (ILCA7 195412) and Eric Haseldon (Supernova 1296) used what they had learnt from the first race, to improve their positions. Ted managing to split the two Streakers on corrected times to achieve a 2nd place.

The five double hander Miracles, Lark and GP14 also pressed on hard throughout the race with Lee Nankervis / James Davies (Lark 2484) and Peter Thoms / Dawn Frost (GP14 14294) using their spinnakers to capitalise on their downwind speed.

Border Counties Midweek Sailing Series at Shropshire Sailing Club - photo © Colin Smith

Race 3

With races 2 and 3 being run back-back, the 5-minute warning signal was sounded shortly after the last boat finished race 2.

A few seconds before the starting gun, an unexpected gust caused excitement with multiple boats finding themselves over the line at the starting gun. Because all the boats couldn't be identified, the race officer signalled a general recall and restarted the starting sequence. On the second attempt all the boats got away cleanly.

Heading for the leeward mark during the Border Counties Midweek Sailing Series at Shropshire Sailing Club - photo © Brian Herring

Once again most of the fleet chose to start on starboard tack moving up the left hand side of the windward leg before tacking onto port to sail across to other lay-line before returning onto starboard again. As the boats left the windward mark the wind shifts caught one or the two helms out which resulted in capsizes.

The day's conditions certainly favoured the singlehanded Streakers, Comet and Solos. Once again through skilful sailing, Nayth Twiggs (Topper 49191) achieved a 2nd place on corrected time.

Nayth Twiggs 2nd overall & 1st junior in the Border Counties Midweek Sailing Series at Shropshire Sailing Club - photo © Colin Smith

The third race also saw personal bests on the day by Dave Turtle (Comet 815) and home club sailor Bill Webber (Solo 5154) achieving a 3rd and 5th respectively.

Shropshire SC's Vice Commodore Anna Nankervis presented the prizes to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, youth winner and 1st double hander.

Pete Coop (Streaker, 2177) wins the Border Counties Midweek Sailing Series at Shropshire Sailing Club - photo © Brian Herring

As always and as with all these events a massive thank you to all the people who help run these opens as without the OOD's Safety crews etc none of us could have such a great day on the water.

Our next event is at Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake) on Tuesday July 8th so why not come and join our friendly Tuesday club? It's better than being in work!

If you want any information about the series then visit bordercountiesmidweeksailing.wordpress.com

Overall Results: