Report by Nigel Reddecliffe

Delph Sailing Club - 9/10th May 2009

Sponsored by Bank Top Brewery 

Race 1

With early season apprehension 18 Miracles launched into very lively winds (4/5) at Delph on Saturday 9th May and took off promptly at 2pm.  Louis Moulden (3835) managed to slip ahead of Wayne Atherton (3383) and just maintained his lead throughout.  Within the first lap five boats had thoroughly tested the water temperature and left the race to 13 contenders to fight an exhausting battle. 

Without any change in order the whole fleet faced the maintained winds until the last boat covered the line whence a rain squall flushed through followed by a flat calm.

Race 2

This took place in force 1-2 winds and bright sunshine with only two boats being recalled over the line.  Wayne Atherton (3383) took an early lead over David Raines (3740) whilst Peter Cuthbert (3747) stationed closely ahead of Louis Moulden (3835).  This order was steadily maintained until with two legs of the course to finish, Louis picked up a nice spinnaker gust to overtake Cuthbert and just stay ahead to the finish line where Cuthbert’s overtaking speed was held off by a luffing-up action dead on the line.

Further back in the fleet two groups of four boats had their own private tussles but without actual order change.

Race 3

Easy winds on the start line but at the gun god made a power cut!  The fleet gradually spread wide seeking whatever wisps of wind they could before generally converging on the first mark after 20 minutes of patience.  The wind freshed slightly then allowing the leaders to distance themselves ahead of the rest of the fleet.  Steve Roberts (4022) got clear air from David Raines (3740) who was harried by Louis Moulden in 3835 and Simon Reddecliffe in 1355 but it was then essentially down to spinnaker handling to see any change in fleet position.

Further loss of wind as the fleet faced a second beat saw some tactical approach to the “windward” mark to make minor change in race order with David Raines (3740) taking a wine over Peter Cuthbert (3747) and Steve Roberts in 3rd place in a brand-new 4033 wetted for the first time.

Race 4

Started on very light winds which remained decently constant but increased very slightly as the race progressed to allow the best racing of the day.  The race leaders soon settled into pecking order and although David Raines (3740) lost two places between the 1st and 2nd marks, he regained the lead before the end of the first lap of the course and maintained a comfortable lead all the way to the finish.

Wayne Atherton (3383) took easy second place as Stan Lubner (4013) followed him over the line.  4th place was hotly contested between Louis Moulden (3835) and Peter Cuthbert (3747) with Louis winning by a whisker.  This was the first race in which all 21 starters made it to the finish!

Race 5

Wayne Atherton (3383) took a port line flyer to achieve a good lead to the 1st mark over David Raines (3740) and continued to strain to keep ahead – the Championship depended on this last race !!!

Only the first two boats and the last couple of boats had consistent race positioning with the rest of the fleet having winning and losing legs!

The Championship demanded every sailing skill available throughout the 5 races and probably truly reflects the ability of each sailing in his/her results placements.

Final Results

 Prizes

First Gold Fleet                        Wayne Atherton & Hannah Beckford - 3383

First Silver Fleet                       David Butler & Steve Roberts - 4022

First Bronze Fleet                     Paul Beckford & Alison Greenan  - 2462

Non-spinnaker & Endeavour    T & M Donaldson - 2221

Combined age over 100           David & Michelle Raines - 3740

1^st Parent & Child                   Val & Simon Reddecliffe - 1355