Results / Bartley Coaching/Racing Event - 26/04/2014

Bartley Sailing Club RS400 Southern & Midlands Tour event, April 2014

Bartley Sailing Club hosted the RS 400 Southern / Midland Tour Grand Prix event on Sunday 27^th April.

9 club boats and one visiting boat entered to be met with a fresh NE Wind blowing around 12 -14 knots.  The courses were windward leeward and the first race got underway at 11.00 sharp thanks to the Race Officer Mike Gibson and his competent team.  Visiting boat Rob and Ruth Lennox lead round the first windward mark closely followed by a pack of around six boats.  Positions changed for Guy Mason and Caroline Whitehouse to lead, followed by Sam and John knight, in a borrowed boat.  Unfortunately Howard Eeles and Wayne Hancox who had been fighting for 3rd position broke his tiller extension UJ, sailed the last lap and a half from the tiller and lost third to Rob and Ruth.

The second race started with wind, which shifted and died leaving the course slightly skewed and more processional.  Sam knight gained the lead early on with boats battling for second place.  Eventually Caroline took second position with Chris Bownes and Matt Jones, again in a borrowed boat, coming third.

The final race saw the wind increase and shift again and a battle for the event ensued between Caroline and Sam.  Sam was leading but unfortunately capsized during a gybe on the penultimate lap, leaving it for Caroline, Rob Lennox and Howard to sail by. While positions changed Rob took the lead with Howard coming through to second with Caroline third and Sam fourth.

Thanks to the race officer for some good courses and quickly turning around three races.