Gill Series #6 @ Grafham Water open meeting

 
Grafham water SC open meeting held on 3rd October was 6th and penultimate event in National 12 Gill series. After a lack of wind at last years event GWSC certainly made up for it this year. With wind in range force 6 to 8 race officer Andy Palmer sent 25 boat fleet out for first of three scheduled races back to back for triangle sausage courses.
 
In race 1 early lead was taken by Richard Williams crewed by Lindsey Iles, closely chased by Jon Ibbotson and Charlotte Stewart followed by Ian Gore and Penny Yarwood in 3rd. Eventually it was Jon and Charlotte who took lead which y held to finish followed home by Richard and Lindsey in 2nd and Ian and Penny in 3rd. Furr back re was close racing between those who had managed to keep capsize count down to one or two.
 
Race 2 started with a few less boats and some with fresh crew. Tom Stewart with Jeremy Carey crewing in borrowed “Dead Cat Bounce” showed fleet how to do it up first beat, going obscenely fast to take a comfortable lead at windward mark. Unfortunately for Tom and Jeremy gybe was not so slick and ended in a swim. After discovering mast was in 2 pieces when y righted boat ir racing was over for day. By second beat race seemed to be following same pattern as first with Jon and Charlotte having a duel for lead with Richard and Lindsey followed by Steve and Joanne Sallis in 3rd. At start of lap 2 wind strength was at its peak and duel for lead came to an abrupt end with simultaneous nose dive and death roll by Jon and Charlotte and Richard and Lindsey. (Check out footage on YouTube) By final beat fleet were fairly spread, but Steve and Joanne’s lead was still tight with main threat, or than capsize and gear failure, coming from Hykeham club mates Andy Bayliss and Vicky Woods in second. At end of final beat Andy and Vicky were blown over while tacking leaving Steve and Joanne to take it steady down final run to take line honours. Andy and Vicky recovered from ir capsize and were joined by Graham Camm and Laura Humphrey for a race down last run. At finish Graham and Laura just managed to take 2nd ahead of Andy and Vicki in 3rd.
 
With even more depleted fleet garing around start area for 3rd and final race race Officer looked at conditions and called it a day, cancelling final race. With no discard and both races to count it was Steve and Joanne who took overall win.

 

Here are some more videos: Race 1 and Race 2

  

Overall results

 

1st N3436 Steve and Joanne Sallis, Hykeham SC
2nd N3483 Jon Brown and Max Duce, Upper Thames SC
3rd N3481 Andy Bayliss and Vicki Woods, Hykeham SC
4th N3455 Caroline Martin and Sam Childs, Burghfield SC
5th N3492 Graham Camm and Laura Humphrey, Burghfield SC

Family
1st N3436 Steve and Joanne Sallis, Hykeham SC
2nd N3411 Gerald and Nick Copsey, St Edmundsbury SC
 
Admirals Cup
1st N3217 Philip David and Anthony Copsey, Yorkshire Ouse SC
2nd N2765 Tom White and Maria Gidley, Olton Mere SC