International Canoe Open at Corus Sailing Club Margam
by Gareth Caldwell 20 May 2005 08:05 BST
14-15 May 2005
A wet and windy weekend in South Wales for the International Canoes © International Canoe Class
With a weather forecast that was promising a wet and windy weekend in South Wales, it was a credit to the sailors who travelled along the M4 to make the Corus Open meeting such an enjoyable event. Saturday was indeed windy, and the couple of boats blowing off their trolleys whilst being rigged provoked anxious faces. Spinnaker choice was easy – small (!) – and places were won and lost on the misfortunes of others. Overnight leaders were Steve Bowen in the AC fleet, and Dave Timson in the IC fleet.
The evening meal at a local hotel resulted in a few tender heads appreciating the 11 o’clock start on the Sunday. The rain hadn’t materialized, kit left out overnight was indeed dry, and four races took place in a sunny force 3! Was this really Wales?!
Robin Wood showed everyone a clean pair of heels (or should that be spinnaker?) on the Sunday and won the overall weekend, followed by Steve Bowen and Rob ‘esophagus’ Michael. Dave Timson easily won the IC fleet.
Many thanks to Ian Williams, who ran a proficient weekend as OD, and to Corus Sailing Club who have been warned that the Canoe fleet would like to return next year!