Ten travellers joined two local Sprint 15 sailors for a Sprint 15 TT held at Carsington Water as part of Carsington Water Cat Open weekend. With 3 races planned for Saturday they were greeted (not unexpectedly) with no wind and little prospect of racing. To his credit, the race officer did try to slip in a race in the afternoon, but abandoned shortly after the start with many competitors still short of the line. Those already over the line and “away” – were not amused.
At the end of the day some in the fleet reported that this was their best position ever after a first day!
However, after a sunny but disappointing day local Ray Gall managed to cheer everyone up with a trip to the local chippy in Ashbourne - fantastic! He was so impressed with his cod and chips that he immediately booked a table for 2 for his wedding anniversary. “Make a nice change to the usual beer and pot noodles”! said his lovely wife Liz.
Sunday – two races back to back
Race 1 Force 2-3 Windward leeward course 6 laps :
The forecast F3 cold wind arrived on Sunday morning and built all day.
In the first race Stuart Snell managed to take an early lead and using a good breeze edged ahead of the chasing pack led by Neil Parkhurst and Simon Miles. With the wind increasing these two exchanged places several times, but never managed to catch Snell. Finch also made good progress through the fleet and closed on the leaders towards the end, to finish just behind in 4th place. The order at the finish was Snell first N.Parkhurst second with Miles third just managing to fend off a fast finishing Jon Finch in fourth place.
Race 2 was a trapezoidal course also 6 laps in a freshening breeze:
The second race saw the wind increase slightly. This time the local Andrew McLeish took the early lead and fought hard to remain in front for over 2 laps, only to be overtaken later in the race by Snell, and the Parkhurst bothers. Snell and N.Parkhurst swapped the lead mid race with Snell gaining the upper hand at the finish with N.Parkhurst second I.Parkhurst third and McLeish fourth. Miles finished fifth after a long tussle with Finch, Holmberg and Goldstone.
