Access Class TT at Northampton Sailability, Pitsford Reservoir
by Allan Henson 23 Sep 2013 18:58 BST
11 September 2013
10th Access TT at Northampton © Graham Foster
On Wednesday 11th Sept, the day of the event, 18 boats entered the 4 Access classes.
Several days out the weather forecast indicated that things were likely to be a bit lively but by the day winds of around F3 gusting to F4 or 5 were forecast and delivered. With the wind coming over the trees and the clubhouse it was clear that there were going to be significant wind shifts and gusts all day with the racing results favouring those who played the shifts best. This was exactly what happened.
A few minutes before the first start there was a large wind shift causing the race officer to postpone the start whilst the course was reset.
Weed has been a significant problem at Northampton Sailing Club this year but the Northampton Sailability helpers had managed to keep the slipway and the end of the pontoon clear although this lead to a little congestion making launching and recovery slower than usual.
Never the less, with good will and effort all round all the, all four races were of the desired duration and completed by the preferred deadline.
Race three saw an interesting situation when the leading four boats in the 303 / Liberty fleet decided not follow the lead boat and omit the leeward mark on the first lap. Monique Foster realised her mistake, went back and still managed to win the race. As for the other three the race officer generously decided to count the laps they actually completed correctly and went for a grand prix finish thus giving them the last three positions between them
Andy and Ced Sheath of Frensham Pond and Chris Emmet and Malcolm Kirk of Rutland SC had a very close last race in the double handed 303s with the outcome deciding first and second positions providing they could stay ahead of Meg Elliott and Christine Allen of Northampton. In the event they had a very close quarters race with the Sheath's finally taking first place in both the race and the event.
Overall Results: (top three)
Access 2.3
1st Bill Ridlington (Rutland)
2nd Pat Crowley (Rutland)
3rd Chris Hole (Rutland)
Access 303 - One Person
1st Monique Foster (Frensham Pond)
2nd Alison Grant (Frensham Pond)
3rd Roy Child (Northampton)
Access 303 – Two Persons
1st Andy and Ced Sheath (Frensham Pond)
2nd Chris Emmet and Malcolm Kirk (Rutland)
3rd Meg Elliott and Christine Allen (Northampton)
Access Liberty
1st David Durston (Whitefriars)
2nd Simon Harle (Rutland)
Roy Child, Chairman of Northampton Sailability, said "It was a pleasure to welcome the class again and we all look forward to hosting the nationals next year."