At Northampton S.C. 3rd and 4th November.
Graham Camm and Zoë Ballantyne had already secured overall victory in
the series but many other places were still to be sorted as well as the
small matter of finding the 2007 Inland Champions.
The forecast was for light breeze on Saturday and less on Sunday and
sadly it was correct. 38 boats made the trip despite the forecast with
two from as far afield as Scotland!
PRO Richard Willows got racing underway bang on schedule making best use
of the daylight and the available breeze.
The boats that started at the pin end to leeward of the bunch looked
good early on but it was the final few shifts into the top mark that
sorted out the pack. Fran Gifford and Sophie Mackley (3431) rounded
first with Tom Stewart and Liz Ross (3513). These two pulled clear and
were able to duel for a lap until the wind went dead light and Tom and
Liz sneaked out a good enough lead to secure a win.
In Race two the left hand end of the line paid off again. Tom and Liz
narrowly led around the windward mark from Mike and Alex Storey (3491),
Matt and Joe Stiles (3484) and in fourth Graham Camm and Sam Childs
(3492). These four boats sailed the next two laps within 30 yards of
each other. Tom and Liz and Graham and Sam used their experience to get
themselves into first and second places. Sadly on the very tricky light
last beat both the Stiles and the Storeys who are showing good speed and
great promise for the future found the hole and slipped out of the top
five.
Race three was led from start to finish by Antony and Jo Gifford in
their new Feeling Foolish (3514). They pulled away from the pack on the
first run to what looked like a safe margin. However you can never count
Graham Camm out in the light stuff and he so nearly caught them on the
line. Tom and Liz put another solid performance in, finishing third.
The fleet retired to the club for a top night of entertainment with good
grub, a huge bonfire, fireworks and a disco.
When the early morning mist cleared from the lake it was clear that
Sunday would be a day to recover from Saturday night in peace without
the strain of going sailing. There was not a breath of wind and racing
was abandoned at 11.00am.
Overall results
1st Tom Stewart and Liz Ross N3513 Northampton S.C.
2nd Antony and Jo Gifford N3514 Aldeburgh Y.C,
3rd Graham Camm and Sam Childs N3492 Burghfield S.C.
4th Frances Gifford and Sophie Mackley N3431 Aldeburgh Y.C.
Admirals Cup
1st Phil David and Sue Jones N3217 Yorkshire Ouse S.C.
2nd Jerry and Margaret Garner N3365 Stour S.C.
