Budworth Sailing Club Boxing Day Bash
by Mark Cleary 31 Dec 2015 15:10 GMT
26 December 2015
Budworth SC Boxing Day Bash © Budworth SC
The traditional Budworth Boxing Day Regatta was held in aid of the RNLI, and raised £260.72 for the charity. Traditional visitors joined the home sailors for two races sailed in a brisk south easterly that at times challenged the sailors. This year the wind remained steady to give three short but balanced beats, and a very satisfying planing reach across the mere.
Competition was fierce in the handicap fleet, causing a General Recall in each race, and the winds suited Lasers to the detriment of Solos who had a more beneficial handicap. A shorter course for the Juniors, and the wind, suited the Oppies in favour of the Feva and Topper, so that close racing resulted in all flights.
Everyone's good spirits and enjoyment thus made the day one of great fun, and great sailing!
As is now quite traditional, Matt Mee and Emma Norris (Burghfield / Red Wharf Bay) took the honours in the fast handicap and warmed up for their success 24 hours later in the Sailjuice Brass Monkey event at Grimworth. They were followed by Kaye Tickle and Alastair Norris (Leigh & Lowton), and Tony Wilcock and Wendy Martin (Budworth), all in RS200s. GPs took all three top places in the 'slow' handicap: Greg Thomas/Ben Swainson (Southport), Nick and Ellie Devereux, and dad, Hugh Devereux with Malcolm Bird (all Budworth).
Single Handers enjoyed tight racing in both races, with the Lasers of Dave Nicholson (Budworth), Oliver Davenport (Redesmere), Andrew Brown, (Budworth) and the Solo of Philip Barnes (Budworth) all in contention. With top three places shared at 5 points each over the two races, count back gave the final results in the above order.
Lewis Coop, and Harvey Leigh (both Leigh & Lowton) took the Junior prizes, each winning a first place in the two races with Micheala Attfield and Kate Bottomley (Budworth) in their Feva gallantly taking third place
The real winners are the RNLI, but also all the sailors and spectators who enjoyed a great day's sailing, plenty to do, and plenty to watch, to make Budworth's Boxing Day Bash a traditional major event in the North West's calendar.