Welland open meeting

 

7 boats arrived at Welland for the third round of the Midland Area’s ‘Rivers and Ponds Series’ to glorious sunshine and a gusty breeze; the day saw very close racing, lots of incidents and capsizes, and a perfect/unbiased beating start line.

 

Even before racing, the competitors for Welland’s first N12 Open were welcomed with bacon butties and tea/coffee, and lunch was included in the £10 entry- what excellent value!

 

Race 1 – With such a narrow river to manoeuvre in, the fleet were line shy for the first race, but a very close tacking battle ensued with only inches separating the first four boats.  Paul Turner got to the windward mark 4 ahead of Gerald Copsey but was caught and overtook on the downwind leg to mark 1 and Gerald rounded the windward mark again well ahead after the second beat. Gerald looked suitably miffed as Martin Clarke and Paul Turner planed up to his transom as he sat in a hole in the wind on the reach back to mark 3 and then Andy Prior also caught up on the dead run after mark 3 so that there were four boats in very close company arriving at the leeward mark below the clubhouse with Gerald Copsey just in the lead. However, Martin Clarke broached on a gybe (in front of the clubhouse) and capsized under Paul Turner’s bow allowing Andy Prior to gain a few yards on Paul rounding mark 1 just behind his transom. Paul needed one final tack (to get round the again upturned boat of Clarke) before he could cross the line but Andy hung on to the starboard tack and crossed just as the boat grounded to beat Paul by inches. Other incidents included Dave Borrett undertaking a full buoyancy test and John Nixon’s boat sustaining damage after running into the bank, sadly ending his day’s racing.

 

Race 2 – The Race Officer, Vanessa Cook, laid a much longer course up river to mark 5 to make use of the freshening wind and add additional reaching; Paul Turner arrived at the windward mark first after a long battle with Gerald Copsey who then got past him on the way to the leeward mark. Beating back up past the clubhouse a loud bang announced the loss of Paul’s control lines; to add insult Martin Clarke heading down river hadn’t seen Paul on starboard and his boom caught him squarely across the back nearly knocking him out of the boat. Running repairs meant that Paul caught Gerald so they continued their tacking duel back up to mark 3 with both leading at various times; the fleet headed by Brian Cobb were slowly catching the two protagonists. Gerald hadn’t realised that they had reached the windward mark assuming that Paul’s efforts to luff him above the buoy in front were tactical! A sudden wind shift meant that Gerald rounded the mark and Paul had to put in another tack, sealing the win for Gerald and son Nick.

 

Race 3 – Gerald Copsey having been in a 24 hour race the previous day and having only had 3 hours sleep decided to opt out of the last race, despite having had a snooze at lunchtime. Martin Clarke’s battle plan to finally sink or maim Paul Turner failed as a broken rudder downhaul and resulting capsize (in front of the clubhouse again) prompted his retirement before the start. The battle at the front of the fleet from the start was between Paul Turner and Andy Prior but Paul Turner managed to break free. Andy Prior nearly lost it on the gybe, but gradually caught Paul Turner on the long off wind race back to the clubhouse and was within feet at the leeward mark. The battle for third and fourth places between Dave Borrett and Brian Bobb was resolved by Brian’s upwind power. A weary beat back up to mark 3, and run back saw Paul Turner keeping ahead of Andy Prior to win the last race.

 

The final result was Gerald Copsey winning his first ever Open Meeting (allegedly), with Paul Turner second and Andy Prior third.

 

All agreed it was a most successful and enjoyable day’s sailing, and it’s hoped that this will continue to be a regular event on the N12 calendar.  As the crew of 3157 was heard to say;

“If anyone thinks river sailing is not that interesting, think again, our trip to Welland was the best day’s sailing in a long time. The starts are close, the beats can involve a lot of shouting – but only to make sure everyone can hear especially for the auricularly challenged, the water is flat but the wind makes for interesting active crewing and it isn’t boring”

 

More pictures can be viewed at http://www.wellandyachtclub.co.uk/photos.htm

 

Overall results

 

1^st        Gerald Copsey & Nick Copsey             3411            St Edmundsbury SC

2^nd       Paul Turner & Christine Marshall        3157            Trent Valley SC

3^rd        Andy Prior & Tom Bell                            3465            Welland Yacht Club

4^th        Brian Cobb & Roz Nichols                     3271            Hykeham  SC

5^th        David  Borrett & L Borrett                        3102            Trent Valley SC

6^th        Martin & Matt Clarke                                3458            Hykeham SC

7^th        John Nixon & S Howe                             3469            Carsington SC