Crewsaver 2000 Millennium Series at Snettisham Beach Sailing Club

Crewsaver 2000 Millennium Series at Snettisham Beach © Peter Hutchison

Crewsaver 2000 Millennium Series at Snettisham Beach © Peter Hutchison

Saturday

Seven visitors joined twelve local boats at Snettisham beach Sailing club for the Saturday morning start which had very optimistically been set for 10.00am. However, we were missing two of the essential ingredients for racing – wind and water. The water duly arrived and the fleet launched into a very light southerly "wind". This swung easterly before the first start and filled into a shifty 5kts. The PRO Bob Fletcher and his team handled the challenging conditions well with a true course and line.

Race 1 start was won by Fergus Barnham and Genesta Gage however, it was Jasper and Laura Barnham who where first to the windward mark, by two boat lengths from Ian and Sarah Yardley. Fergus then rounded shortly ahead of Mark Foley and Ellie Parle. On the run Fergus split from the group to the right hand gate and went left up the beat losing out to Mark and Ellie. Fergus and Genesta over took them on the next run and Chris and Tom Hall overtook Mark and Ellie on the next beat to leave finishing positions of Jasper, Ian, Fergus, Chris and Mark.

The second race started in a light breeze with dark thunder clouds hanging over Lincolnshire. David Crossman and Nick Marris headed right up the first beat towards the storms and out of the tide. This paid nicely as they were first to the top mark by 50m from Jasper and Laura, followed by James and Jenny Macgregor, then Adrian Tebbutt and Ben Charnley.

After the first lap the wind dropped off and getting out of the tide was a priority. When the wind arrived it benefitted the local boats with Jasper, Fergus and Chris completing a Snettisham 1,2,3. Ian and Sarah were 4th followed by James and Jenny.

The evening started with an excellent curry and was followed by a Pub Quiz; hosted by Snettisham Beach SC 2000 fleet captain Andrian Tebbutt. His sharp humour keeping everyone amused and kept the beer flowing until late.

Sunday

The fleet assembled on the beach on Sunday morning at 11.00 to find the wind had increased to a steady 5-7 kts from the North.

Race 3 was under way with an individual recall for Jasper and Laura, as the round the ends rule was in force they had to round the committee boat and restart. This didn't stop them sailing through the fleet and winning. 2nd was Fergus, 3rd Ian, 4th Chris and 5th went to Guy Tasker sailing on Sunday with Molly Charnley.

Race 4 with the wind strengthening a little John and Dan Bellamy from Brancaster sailing club were mixing it up with the leading pack finishing 3rd behind Jasper and Fergus, with Ian 4th and Chris 5th.

Race 5 saw Jasper and Fergus 1st and 2nd with Chris 3rd and Ian 4th. Phoebe and Rosy Charnley sailed a strong race to finish 5th.

Race 6 saw Jasper and Fergus continue their run of first and 2nd places Ian was 3rd, Chris 4th and Guy scored another 5th. This rounded off a good days sailing following frustrating winds on the Saturday and made sure that all 6 races were sailed.

Overall, Jasper and Laura won the event with Fergus and Genesta 2nd and Ian and Sarah 3rd. The Crewsaver MS spot prize was awarded to Dan and Cat Rule from Carsington and the Masters (over 60s prize) to Bruce Nicholson from Bough Beach SC.

As is traditional, Jasper thanked the club, Crewsaver for sponsoring the event, the officials and Adrian as fleet captain on behalf of the competitors. Special mentions were made for the PRO Bob Fletcher and his team for getting the 6 races in, the rescue boat crews for helping with the course laying and the galley for supplying the vitals, and afternoon tea was served.

A great weekend once again – fiercely competitive sailing at all levels through the fleet, in the right atmosphere and great surroundings.

Overall Results:

Crewsaver 2000 Millennium Series at Snettisham Beach - photo © Peter Hutchison