Gill series #7 @ Ripon

The penultimate meeting of the 2008 Gill series was hosted by Ripon Sailing Club on Saturday 4 October, with 28 boats competing.
 
The weather lived up to the forecast, with the first race getting underway with a force 4 with some pretty vicious gusts.  After a lot of swimming just half the fleet finished the race – Graham and Zoe taking line honours and showing everyone it was possible to sail the course without swimming.  Steve and Joanne Sallis finished 2nd.  Philip Benn and Sam Towers, sailing Roly Mo, took 3rd place clearly enjoying the conditions despite a number of swims.  Gerald and Nicholas Copsey finished 4th and were the first AC boat over the line.
 
The wind continued to strengthen over lunch and a much reduced fleet of just 15 boats took to the water for race 2.  With gusts of over 45mph recorded in the clubhouse those on the shore enjoyed the thrills and spills taking place on the water – once again Graham and Zoe kept dry and flew.  Philip and Sam took 2nd place, with Steve and Joanne in 3rd.  Mark Simpson and Katy Oyston finished 4th. 
 
The spectators on the bank grew for race 3 with just 9 boats venturing out.  Graham and Zoe took line honours again, with Steve and Joanne nearly losing out to Philip and Sam when they capsized, but getting the boat upright and moving again just before the fleet overhauled them.  They held their place to finish 2nd, with Philip and Sam 3rd and the Copsey’s 4th.