Results / Open South Shields SC - 11/06/2016

5 Boats turned up at south shields for the third northern traveller with light winds forecast, and a decent swell coming in from the sea, a weekend of tricky racing looked to be ahead.

In race 1 good start from Ben Robertson and Jenny Douglas saw them in the lead round the first mark, an unfortunate inability to read the race instructions saw them then miss the spreader mark. Ian Martin and Andy Weatherspoon slipped past closely followed by Stewart and Sarah Robertson. A close chase resulted with the tide making things tricky, an unfortunate tide call from Ian let Ben and Stewart slip by to take first and second on the final mark rounding. Jason Riby and Eleanor Nailon just lost out to Kani Tomlinson and Helen Scott to take 5th and 4th respectively.

Race 2 saw Stewart and Sarah take the lead followed closely by Ben and Jenny, leapfrogging each other around the course. Ian and Andy managed to slip away from Jason and Eleanor Leaving Kani lagging in the rear. A close fight at the front ended when Ben decided to try the more direct method of slowing Stewart down resulting in some spinning practice at the leeward mark, sealing the race win for Stewart and Sarah.

The final race of the day was once again close at the front between Ben and Stewart, with Ben sneaking in with little to spare to take the win. Ian followed up in the middle with Kani and Jason behind.

The Saturday night entertainment consisted of the glorious British tradition of a BBQ in the drizzle, much enjoyed by everyone of course, followed by some excellent live music provided by the South Shields sailors.

Sunday morning saw the course relocated into the harbour due to some heavy fog out to sea, with light winds from the East. Jason gybed off on first downwind on race 4 and stayed out the tide to gain an unassailable lead, followed by Ian and Stewart fighting for second and third, then Ben and Kani.

In the final race of the weekend a solid start left Ben in the lead at the first mark chased by Stewart. A heavily tidal course resulted in a chase down, Stewart and Sarah creeping closer but not quite able to catch up leaving Ben and Jenny to cross first. Ian and Andy, then Jason and Eleanor followed up with Kani and Helen retiring.

Despite a small fleet we had some very close and enjoyable racing in tricky conditions. The race committee did an excellent job of getting a full weekend of racing in despite fluky winds, strong tides, and some solid north sea fog. The few visitors were kept well entertained by the South Shields crowd, and I’m sure are all looking forward to a future return.

The next event is the Birkett Trophy at Ullswater 2-3rd of July, always a good event plus the unique setting and style of racing.

Ben Robertson