Red Square Lark Open at Shropshire Sailing Club

29th March 2003

Photo © Lark Class

In the first race Martin Gillam/Matt Griffiths led a big pack arriving at the top mark together. They held their lead to the second mark, with Dougal Scott/Ruth Johnson climbing up to second by going low on the reach to avoid the shadow of some trees. Scott/Johnson got away on the next beat to take the lead which they kept through to the end. Richard Dowsett/Jane Alexander climbed through the fleet to take second, with Gillam/Griffiths third.

The second race was sailed on the same course. This time, Dowsett/ Alexander got away to a good lead, accompanied by Richard/Jenny Bennett. Scott/Johnson slowly climbed their way through the fleet, eventually taking the lead on the third lap. By the final mark, they were half a leg ahead. However, a big hole and poor covering allowed Dowsett/Alexander right back into the race, with the gun going to Scott/Johnson by only a split second. The Bennetts took third.

In the final race, Simon Cox/Kate Simpson in their new boat led at the first mark and down the first run. However, the course had changed and they had misunderstood it, meaning they lost the lead. Scott/Johnson, who had been in second, came through to first and lead to the end, giving them the meeting without dropping a race. Dowsett/Alexander again pulled through to take second, with John Billin

Overall Results: