Comet Trio, Versa & Zero Inlands at Whitefriars Sailing Club
by Brett Hardman 20 Jun 2006 09:03 BST
17-18 June 2006
The Comet Trios enjoy their Inlands at Whitefriars © Andy Simmons
The opening day of the Comet Inlands and Zero Nationals at Whitefriars Sailing Club delivered sunshine, but little wind. The first of five races over two days presented winds shifting through eighty degrees over thirty+ minute laps, resulting in Trios flying spinnakers on the first upwind leg. Officer of the day Rupert Whelan shortened course for the seven Versas and one Zero in the second race, but left thirteen Trios to sail on. The wind freshened slightly for the third race, averaging six knots, and day's end saw Guy Farrant and Marilyn Booker leading the Trios and Rodney Bottomley and Mike Wilcock tied in the Versas.
Sunday's two races enjoyed more wind. Farrant and Booker took a
commanding lead over Bob and Ann Presley in the Trios and, after a
closely fought first day, Bottomley held off Wilcock for both Versa
races. The PRO called the combined Comet asymmetric fleet one of the
friendliest he'd run an event for, but noted some sparring on the
water. Indeed, though the leaders sailed consistently, the
lower-placed boats skirmished throughout, positions changed frequently
and the front of the Versa fleet took such pleasure in catching the
back of the Trio fleet that he refused to stop after being finished,
in order to carry on chasing Trios! Ian Hewer, the lone Zero and thus
starting with the Versas, showed tremendous local knowledge to beat
many of the larger, faster boats, winning the Zeros (and the Versas on
handicap).
Many thanks to all organizers, officers, contributors, sailors and
visitors for a most enjoyable weekend, and particular thanks to Rodney
and Audrey Bottomley for organising, to Rupert Whelan for fine courses
on difficult days, to Janet and John Stone who provided the excellent
food, and to the Whitefriars Ladies Sailing Group for numerous
contributions of foods and services.
Overall Results:
Trio
1. Guy Farrant and Marilyn Booker (Exeter SC)
2. Bob Presley and Ann Presley (Cotswold SC)
3. David Talbot and Alison Spiers/Richard Talbot (Hawley Lake SC)
4. Roger Edwards and Rosemary Edwards (Cotswold SC)
5. Godfrey Ayles and Henry Ayles (Frensham Pond SC)
Versa
1. Rodney Bottomley (Whitefriars SC)
2. Mike Wilcock (Bewl Valley SC)
3. Jon Vincent (Cotswold SC)
4. Andrew Keynes (Crawley Mariners YC)
5. Brian Davidson and Penny Davidson (Whitefriars SC)
Zero
1. Ian Hewer (Whitefriars SC)