The Gul RS400 Grand Prix and Bolle Northern Tour finished at Notts County Sailing Club on 22/23 September. The 29 strong fleet rigged in sailable winds but with an ominous forecast for the wind to drop around lunchtime. The RO, Stuart Poole, postponed for an hour, and after consulting the met office and the sailing gods took the difficult decision to abandon racing. He was soon proved correct when the wind faded and died completely for the rest of the day. The fleet retired to various local inns and ten pin bowling.
After a restful, if frustrating day, the fleet had energy to spare and enjoyed a hearty supper and partied into the small hours.
Sunday dawned clear with a sailable forecast. In a northerly breeze Paul & Mike Allen (LLSC) took the first race from Jasper Barnham & Graham Sexton (Snettisham Beach / Thorpe Bay), followed by Caroline Whitehouse & Sam Pickering (Bartley). With the wind beginning to swing NE the second race went to Wayne & Deb Fletcher (Scaling Dam), followed by Dave Exley & Rich Brown (LLSC), Caroline & Sam again taking third spot.
By the afternoon a steady easterly wind was established making for a radical course change. The new course gave greater scope for making the right or wrong decisions on shifts leading to close racing and plenty of position changes. Wayne & Deb continued their winning form taking the last two races. With Dave & Rich 2nd and Caroline & Sam 3rd in the third race, and Caroline Exley & Jude Allen (LLSC) 2nd and Paul & Mike 3rd in the final race. The best home fleet overall result was 9th by John Parr & Kim Parnham (the home fleet resolved to get out more often!).
With a perfect score Wayne & Deb Fletcher won the event. Paul & Mike Allen took overall 2nd, with Dave Exley & Rich Brown 3rd, and Caroline Whitehouse & Sam Pickering 4th. By winning the event Wayne & Deb confirmed their position as well deserved winners of the Northern Tour Trophy.
After noting that his sailing was better than his bowling, Wayne Fletcher thanked NCSC for a great event and Bollé for their sponsorship of the Northern Tour. Thanks also go to Morton Boats and Neil Pryde Sailing for their continued support of Notts County SC and the prizes they generously donated for the event.
Alan Elkington
