National 12 Open Meeting – Blithfield SC
As the next stage of the Consistency Trophy and the Midlands Area series, Blithfield Open Meeting on 1st September was a great success – a good turnout for a new open water venue on the cicuit. The wind was very light all day, causing frustrating racing conditions at times. Nevertheless, three races were successfully completed. In races one and two, Graham Camm and Zoe Ballantyne (Burghfield ) established a lead on the first beat and went on to win both races. In each case they were pursued by Bernard Clark (Yorkshire Ouse) and David Moore (Blithfield) who finished second. The lower placings were hotly contested with places changing frequently during the course of the races.
In race 3, Bernard Clark and David Moore established a lead during the first beat
while several other boats were in contention for second place. The battle
remained fairly close for much of the first lap but the difficult conditions
were taking their toll and the fleet became quite spread out in the latter part
of the race. Bernard and David maintained their lead over Tim Laws (Olton Mere)
- sailing Graham Camm's Boat crewed by Zoe Ballantyne.
Overall, the event was won by Graham and Zoe. Bernard and David took second place overall and also won the old
boats prize with their Cheshire Cat. Second
of the old boats were Ian Smith and Eleanor O'Connell (Midland SC) in their
Final Chapter.
The days racing (and sunbathing on the lawn) was enjoyed by all who attended
and it looks as though Blithfield will become a regular fixture in future.
The Consistency Trophy now moves on to Henley
on the 15th of September, which is always guaranteed a good turnout.
1st 3469 Graham Camm & Zoe Ballantyne (Burghfield)
2nd 3220 Bernard Clarke & David Moore (Yorkshire
Ouse / Blithfield)
3rd 3465 Terry & Angela Cook (Notts County)
4th 3344 Rob & Emma Cannell (Blithfield)
5th 3375 Ian Smith & Eleanor O'Connell (Midland)
