Solo Open at Sheffield Viking Sailing Club
by Denis Porter 14 May 2007 21:00 BST
13 May 2007
16 helms take part in the Solo open on Damflask reservoir © Denis Porter
Sheffield Viking sail on the Damflask reservoir set in a picturesque part of the Peak District. The weather forecast was not too promising with light winds and rain predicted. However this did not dampen the spirits of the participants with 3 home boats and 13 visitors taking part.
With a light easterly wind blowing the race officers set a long first beat for the start of the races. On the first race it was Oliver Dumbleton (4553) with a clear lead at the windward mark followed by Mark Weston (4725) and John Gleadhill (4751). By the second lap the rain had arrived and with a well stretched fleet the winner was Oliver Dumbleton (4553) followed by John Gleadhill (4751) and Chris Gillard (4662).
A good lunch and a bit of a drying off saw the start of race two. The windward mark was a close thing with Chris Gillard (4662) in the lead followed by Howard Frear (4615) and Mark Weston (4725). Chris maintained his lead finishing first followed by Howard and with third place being taken by John Gleadhill.
By the third race the heavens had opened and with the light easterly steadily decreasing it was Oliver Dumbleton first to the windward mark. By the second lap it was raining cats and dogs making for a soggy end to the race with Oliver taking first and Chris Gillard second place.
Overall Results:
1st Oliver Dumbleton
2nd Chris Gillard
3rd John Gleadhill