Results

West Country Boat Repairs SW Ugly Tour 2024, Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club

Saturday 13th April saw the year opener of the SW Ugly Tour at Bristol Corinthian YC. The team had booked the sun and promise of a building wind. Racing was close throughout the 26 strong fleet with 4 different race winners showing the strength of the competition.

R1 started at a civilised 12 O’clock in 5-8knots. The first start line of the day proved to be fairly even with boats from both ends getting away well. 1716 team of Ollie Evans and Zoe Nieveen managed to pull clear to take the first bullet. 1019 pair James Williams and Ruth Kenyon demonstrated their renowned light wind speed to pull through to 2nd (this was the first of a lovely consistent string of results until the wind picked up in the final race). 1667 Owen Bowerman and Annabelle Orme, 1740 Mark and Jess Oakey and 1699 Douglas Calder and Lizzy Galloway also demonstrated that they are on the pace after the long winter taking 3rd, 4th and 5th respectively. 

Following the first race, the wind gods decided to pull our wonderful PRO, Arky’s, chain for a while. The wind dropped away and shifted all over the place for about an hour until it finally decided to behave. The race committee made great efforts to contend with these challenging conditions by moving the marks one way and then the other. After a final major lull across the reservoir, the wind filled back in and stabilized. Mark positions were finalised and the day was resumed after a lovely sunny drifting interlude during which a number of boats had even gone ashore for a break.

R2 the wind shifted just before start gun making the line pin biased. 861 team Duncan and Lorna Glen capitalised by tacking immediately off the middle of the line and were able to gain a healthy lead at the windward mark, that they protected to the finish. Behind them, Douglas/Lizzy and Owen/Annabelle battled it out for 2nd but were eventually hunted down by the light wind wizard James/Ruth. By the finish it was Duncan/Lorna followed by James/Ruth, Owen/Annabelle, 1621 team Henry Hallam and Ashley Hill and 418 pair Fred and Liz Mainwaring

R3 was a masterclass by Henry/Ashley as they launched off committee boat to lead the fleet throughout finishing with a comfortable lead. James/Ruth and Ollie/Zoe continued the battle behind, but as the wind began to fill in it was the downwind gusts that became the game changer. Those who managed to plane early found themselves taking out big distance on the “soakers” who could only watch on with frustration. After 3 laps it ended up with Duncan/Lorna jumping up to 2nd, James/Ruth hung on to 3rd and 1289 team Cliff and Bec Milliner in 4th.

R4 and the 200s decided to start testing Arkys patience with our 2nd general recall of the day. By the time we had restarted, the wind had built to around 15-20knots favouring some and not others. With planing in full swing and crews stretching their legs upwind, it was a test of who’d been working hard over winter and saved their energy for the last race.  1365 pair John Teague/Naomi Pound, Owen/Annabelle and Duncan/Lorna all showed that they were up for a blast, as they lead the way round. As per BCYC open meeting tradition, Johnny/Naomi had to win at least 1 race, so saved best until last (not bad as John is still recovering from a broken ankle!). Behind them, Owen/Annabelle and Duncan/Lorna broke away from the pack to finish in that order with a big gap back to Henry/Ashley and Ollie/Zoe battling it out for 4th.

It was nearing 5pm as we crossed the finishing line of race 4. The 400s were coming to the end of 5th (no generals there!) so the 200s decided to head home and call it a day – a well received decision across by the fleet. The prizegiving followed shortly swiftly upon our return to shore, followed by the 2023 SW West Country boat repairs ‘Ugly’ tour  prizegiving (delayed after our final event of last year was cancelled!).

Huge thanks must go out to all at BCYC for making the event happen and giving us a great day out on the water. The race team, as ever, provided great courses and the team afloat and onshore made it an enjoyable event for all. 

As the travellers headed home, and those staying for training on the Sunday remained for dinner at the club, discussions turned to the much anticipated next stop on the tour - St Mawes on the 11/12 May. Event entry is now open, and at £30 for a weekend of racing on the stunning Carrick Roads, what’s not to love? Link here to all event details, and we hope to see you there!

Lorna Glen

1st Silver: Ed Harris and Beth Mason

1st Bronze: Helena nd Dougal Scott

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Sailing Chandlery RS400 Southern Tour event at Bristol Corinthian 13^th – 14^th April

Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club hosted the RS400’s over the weekend of the 13^th-14^th

April for the second event of the Southern Tour, sponsored by Sailing Chandlery.

Five races on Saturday kicked off with a light one with the wind flicking back and forth, making for some gains for those who spotted the shifts. 2023 Nationals winner Edd Whitehead crewed by Karen Oldale took the first race after a close duel with 2022 Nationals winners Sam Knight and Chris Bownes,  3^rd went to regular open meeting winners Christopher Eames and Rachel Tilley.

With Former Eurocup winners John Heissig and Nicky Griffin also racing it gives you an idea of what us who race to normally make up the numbers were up against. However, due to a small fleet, short races and the shifty conditions we all at some time over the weekend mixed it with the rock stars of the fleet. Sailing past Sam and Chris was the highlight for me, they were upside-down at the time but I’m taking it!

After a bit of a delay whilst the wind refused to play ball, the race officer “Arky” ably assisted by the legendary Ken Falcon managed to get another four races in a decent breeze with some lively gusts. Christopher and Rachel ending the day on top counting a

3,2,4,1,1 with Ed and Karen on 1,3,2,2,2.

Interest in the boat park after sailing was Andy Powell’s brand new boat Pink Panther 5, with some really nice pimps and tweaks, launched with a splash of Pink Champagne of course. Andy and crew Chris Rolfe are really beginning now to close the gap and get amongst the action.

Sunday and some tired sailors went home and left the racing to us athletes - only joking of course!  This left the battle at the sharp end between Edd and Karen and Christopher and Rachel. Counting four bullets and a second Edd and Karen wrapped up the win but had to battle all the way with Christopher and Rachel who ended the day with a 3,2,2,2,1.  Watching these two teams at close range all weekend made me realise that there appears to be very little in boat speed between any of the 400’s present, starting and decision making seem to be key. Being over the line twice myself and having to re-round on Individual recalls, according to my ever patient crew Sarah isn’t fast or sensible, lesson learnt for the next event at the picturesque Salcombe. Hope to see you there.

1^st                Edd Whitehead & Karen Oldale

2^nd         Christopher Eames & Rachel Tilley

3^rd         Mick & Sarah Whitmore

Mid Fleet Hero prize Peter Vincent & Chris Bishop

Report by Mick Whitmore 1548

Up on Y&Y here

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Rooster National Tour, Bristol Corinthian

The RS500 fleet joined with the RS200 and RS400s at Bristol Corinthian yacht club for a weekend of great sailing. Saturday was spent training, under the watchful eye and skilful videoing of James Curtis, former world champion. A lot was learnt on boat set up, including copying tweaks on other boats!

Five races were held on Sunday, in a gradually building wind. Unfortunately, Nigel and Aaron were unable to compete having had major gear problems on the Saturday.

The front of the fleet was dominated by Steve & Sarah Cockerill, and Paul Cullen and Fresh Abendstern, but there were frequent position changes in the shifty, patchy wind. John Reynolds and Fran Howell eventually won the battle for third, over John Cooper and Andy Maw.

Arky the race officer set good courses in challenging conditions, and thanks must also go to Sally Campbell for all her organisation.

Next event on the Rooster National Tour is the Harken RS Sprints at Rutland next weekend, followed by the National Championship at RS Sailing's 30th Anniversary Regatta - online entry is open for both events.

John Reynolds

www.bcyc.org.uk

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