Stewartby Water Sports Club TT : Winter Series
Saturday 3rd November 2007

Report by: Karl Pountney

Blue skies and a light variable breeze kicked off of the Sprint 15 winter series at Stewartby on Saturday 3 November. A total of sixteen boats from all over the UK arrived to do battle - of which, five boats were from Stewartby.

The first race, following a trapezoid course, started shortly after a large shift came down the lake virtually eliminating the beat to the windward mark. Local race officer, Karl Pountney and his team held their nerve and the oscillating shifts would ultimately decide places all around the course. The race was to be dominated by Steve Sawford and Robert England who swapped places throughout the race gambling at the leeward mark as to which side of the committee boat to pass. Racing was intense throughout the fleet with small groups vying for position ahead of the shorten course. On the line it would be Robert England, Steve Sawford, and Earling Holmberg taking 1st, 2nd and 3rd places respectively.

Over lunch, the wind picked up and the course needed adjustment once more. However, moments after the fleet launched the wind fell-back and shifted again requiring yet more last minute changes to the trapezoid course. The second race started with a heavy port-end line bias, but a far better beat to the first mark. With lighter wind than the morning, fewer laps would be sailed but the racing was no less intense. A poor start for Robert England resulted in quite of lot of ground to make-up if he was to make a podium place. On each lap he picked his way through the fleet and although rewarded 3rd place it was not enough to clinch the two-race event from Steve Sawford who bagged 1st place. Philip Howden and Paul Croft took 2nd and 4th.

Retiring to the bar, the customary crates of beers were distributed to all participants and race organisers. The next Sprint 15 Winter event is at Carsington on 8 December.

Overall Results: 1st Steve Sawford 3pts, 2nd Robert England (Carsington) 4pts, 3rd Philip Howden (Grafham) 8pts, 4th Erling Holmberg (Shanklin) 8pts, 5th Paul Craft (Open Dinghy Club) 12pts .

Steve Sawford Picking up the Winners Spoils!
Steve Sawford Picking up the Winners Spoils!
Close Sailing in Light Winds (Pictures by Bob Carter)
Close Sailing in Light Winds (Pictures by Bob Carter)

Results:


Full Series Results available here



Una Fleet
CompetitorsEvent Placings
NameSailClubFormatHandicap PlaceFleet Place
Steve Sawford1733Rutland Water Sailing ClubUna Rig11
Robert England1351RYAUna Rig22
Phillip Howden2003Grafham Water Sailing ClubUna Rig33
Erling Holmberg2007Shanklin Sailing ClubUna Rig44
Paul Craft1977Worthing Sailing ClubUna Rig55
Nick Dewhirst2006Whitstable Yacht ClubUna Rig66
Chris Black2005Grafham Water Sailing ClubUna Rig77
Alex Varnava1800Queen Mary Sailing ClubUna Rig88
Kevin Dutch1938Seasalter Sailing ClubUna Rig99
Darren Kiggins1985Thorpe Bay Yacht ClubUna Rig1010
Mark Rushton153Stewartby Water Sports ClubUna Rig1111
Graham Shrimpton1595Stewartby Water Sports ClubUna Rig1212
Steve Wakelam1479Stewartby Water Sports ClubUna Rig1313
Dave Smith1841Stewartby Water Sports ClubUna Rig1414
Mike Loxley1683Calshot Sailing ClubUna Rig1515
Tony Skinner527Stewartby Water Sports ClubUna Rig1616