Javelin Inland Champs at Glossop Sailing Club
by Richard Smith 30 May 2008 16:26 BST
24-25 May 2008
11 boats braved the very poor weather forecast for the Bank Holiday weekend to attend the Inland Championships at Glossop and District Sailing Club. Sailors were greeted by warm sunny weather and a gusty force 6 breeze on Saturday and all boats braved the conditions to start the first race. The strength of the windy quickly became apparent before the start of the race with a number of capsizes and some very very quick two (and one) sail reaching going on at the start line.
The wind continued to increase after the start and a number of boats decided that discretion was the better part of valour and returned to the shore in the hope of the wind decreasing a little for the second race. A leading pack of Mike Pickles and Richard Fisher, Brian and David Earl and Gavin and Rosie Johnson (age 14) continued some very close racing in force 7 gusts and made it to the second gybe mark without incident when Brian and David capsized in a huge gust about 50m after the gybe which let Mike and Richard and the Johnson’s into a sizeable lead. The wind continued to increase which caused capsizes from both leading boats on the beat and let the Earl’s through into a commanding lead which was relinquished after a gust flattened them and caused David to fall through the genoa, ending their race. Mike and Richard picked up the lead which the maintained to the finish with Gavin and Rosie finishing second.
The fleet returned to the clubhouse and during this time the gusts increased, making everyone think twice about a second race. Ben Fisher and Chris decided that sailing was possible and went out to demonstrate that sailing was possible but unfortunately they proved everyone’s decision to stay on the bank correct and after nearly convincing a few to sail suffered a number of capsizes and returned to the shore.
Congratulations to Mike and Dick and Gavin and Rosie for finishing 1st and 2nd in the only race, a superb bit of sailing in some incredibly strong winds. Both teams, being true sportsmen (and ladies) would not accept the result based on one race and it has been agreed that the event will be continued at Glossop and District SC later in the year.