Kent Schools Opening Splash at Dover Water Sports Centre
by Dave Webb 27 Apr 2004 21:17 BST
24th April 2004
22 competitors from nine different clubs at the Kent Schools Opening Splash in Dover Harbour © KSSA
After a winter/spring programme of training events around the County, Kent Schools Sailing Association held their first competitive event of the year in Dover Harbour courtesy of Dover Water Sports Centre.
The 22 competitors from nine different clubs, ranging from an Optimist to a Dart 18 were greeted by brilliant sunshine and a breeze which died completely just before the first of the four scheduled races, but then filled and backed 100 degrees. Swift repositioning of the committee boat and marks by the efficient DWSC staff resulted in a minimum delay getting the fleet away.
The first race saw a group of Laser Radials at the front of the fleet, with a pair of RS200’s just behind. Eventually the Radials of Mark Heather and Rob Waite pulled away from the fleet. On the second race, the breeze died completely, so the Race officer sent the fleet ashore for an early lunch.
Both the afternoon races were spent chasing zephyrs around the harbour, with the RS200 of Mitch Webb/Sam Rowe pulling away from the fleet on each occasion, with Heather close behind on the first, and Tim Ellis in contention in the final race, although it was the Topper of Paul Turnill which stayed close enough behind the faster boats to earn the final win of the day. Special mention to Roland Sims who resolutely completed all the races in his Optimist in such testing conditions.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Boat Type | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | Laser Radial | 173486 | Mark Heather | | Wilsonian | 2 |
| 2nd | RS200 | 652 | Mitch Webb | Sam Rowe | Downs | 4 |
| 3rd | Topper | 44895 | Paul Turnill | | Bewl Valley | 6 |
| 4th | Laser Radial | 170574 | Rob Waite | | Downs | 6 |
| 5th | Laser Radial | 135513 | Tim Ellis | | Broadstairs | 6 |