14 entries from 11 clubs from nearly every MYA District turned out for some excellent racing on a simple windward leeward course.  21 races were sailed in a variable, but basically easterly breeze, which in the afternoon, when the wind went a bit northerly would test the DF 95s off wind in the strongest gusts.

All but 6 competitors won a race and several won more than one, but the results were dominated by Dave Adams from the East Kent Radio Sailing Club, who won 10 races and when he was not winning was always counted podium scores.  

By lunchtime 13 races had been completed and the leaderboard was headed by Dave Adams with 20 points ahead of last year’s winner Buzz Coleman with 43 and Shaun Anderson 45.

For the afternoon there were 3 retirements, as Barrie Martin fell into the water getting his boat out and 2 other competitors no longer want to sail and went home.  With the wind more from the east north-east and increasing in strength, the afternoon racing was exciting with boats planing offwind for most of the downwind leg and in the dark gusts struggling to keep control with bows underwater, broaching etc. 

The afternoon results were predictable with Dave Adams sailing really well, sticking to the rhumb line on the beat and benefiting from the big wind variations to get 4 firsts in a row.  Local sailor, Alan Viney having won the very first race of the day carried on improving and won the very last race of the day to take him onto the podium in 3rd place.

Everyone said that they themselves and most of the incidents hailed by observers Martin Crysell and RO Roger Stollery were resolved on the water, with competitors taking advantage of the IRSA Short Penalty, which was in operation to do just a tack or gybe and keep them clear of the rest of the fleet.

At the prize giving the race team were thanked for running another good event at Abbey Meads and particular thanks went to Janet Crix & Slieve McGaliard for ensuring that the scoring system worked OK on the laptop.

Results:

1st Dave Adams, East Kent RSC   27 points

2nd Buzz Coleman, Coalhouse Fort RYC  54

3rd Alan Viney, Guildford MYC  62

4th Shaun Anderson, Whitefriars SC  76

5th Richard Calas,  Gosport  MYBC  84

6th Martyn Aspinall, Rotherham MYC  97

7th David Coode, Guildford MYC  100

8th Simon Johnson, Hampton Court MYC 110

9th Jay Williamson, Springfield SC   124 

10th Barrie Martin, London MYC  149

11th John Crix,  Eastbourne & Dist MYC  158 

12th Slieve McGalliard, Guildford MYC 172

13th Simon Collyer,  Alton RCSC  197

14th Mike Wilkie,  Hampton Court MYC 262 

Report by Roger Stollery