Albacore Open at Maidenhead Sailing Club

Albacores at Maidenhead © Andy Pearce

Albacores at Maidenhead © Andy Pearce

Blue sky, blue water

The sun shone and the wind stayed reasonable for the 16 Albacores that entered this annual ‘blue water’ event (no, it’s not an April Fool - the lake water really had been dyed blue).

In each of the three races three different boats were first to the windward mark however none of these could beat the overall winner Neville Herbert helming owner Mark Fowler’s brand new boat ‘Grand Turisimo’ and winning with a race to spare.

In Race 1, obviously buoyed by attendance at the previous day’s training event, Ian Simpson crewed by Kay Woods in Blue Jay was first to the windward mark though soon passed by Herbert with John Woffinden crewed by Erica Hunter in ‘Who ate all the pies’close behind. There were plenty of place changes through the race with Eddie and Jane Brooks (Elton SC) nipping into third.

In Race 2 Mike Banner, crewed by 9yr old Brandon Woods in ‘Avatar’ was first at the windward mark only to be passed by race winner Herbert and runner up Woffinden, and a few others after a slam header tipped them in.

In the final race with the winners ashore sunbathing it was Phil Smith and Mathew Metcalfe-Smith who got to mark 1 first. In a tight race, with places changing each lap, Graham Darvill crewed by Mike Bowers pulled through to win followed by Brooks and Woffinden with local fleet captain Phil Tindall and Roy Box a close forth. Following a protest sorted by mediation (and the fact that the bar was now open) the prizes were presented on the club house veranda in the sunshine.

Next event on the Albacore circuit is at South Cerney on Sat 30th April/ Sun 1st May – just after the Royal Wedding!

Overall Results:

Youngest Competitor: Brandon Woods