Rooster 8.1 Nationals at Weston Sailing Club - Overall

Steve Cockerill cruised to victory in all the second day's racing - note no kicker! © Eddie Mays

Andy Gordan rounded mark one just in front of Simon Barrigton (day 2) © Eddie Mays

The final day was to be the test for the Rooster 8.1 Rig. Was it manageable in 20 knots of wind? Would the heavyweights be the only ones to handle the power - or would the lightweights understand what overpowered was and how to handle the rig?

Race Four

Greg Carey was a match for the power off the start-line in race one and cheekily crossed the fleet tacking at the pin. By the first mark however Steve Cockerill was also in strong contention. His Cunningham pulled to the max and sailing with no kicker tension and the boom lightly pulled to block to block it looked like the rig was doing all the work for him. Steve(81) rolled Greg(197) into mark one and took the early lead, both followed closely by Ian Morgan (111). Steve's set up seamed to be the easiest to sail and he was able to tack on every shift up the next beat to have a handsome lead by the next windward mark. Greg rounded this mark and subsequently broke his boom. This was the 7th boom Greg has broken this season while sailing his Laser so no real surprise! Ian Morgan was then leading the chasing group and was able to hold off Simon Barrington despite a late capsize to take 2nd. Simon had his own battle holding Andy Gordan from Stokes Bay who took 4th.

Between races Steve sailed around the fleet explaining his set up so others could benefit from the easy sail he had - claiming - I had no weather helm and it was easier to sail than a Laser Radial.

Race Five

Steve took control from the start and did not look under any pressure until Simon Barrington hooked into a big left hand shift on the last lap to the windward mark. This shift also cost Ian Morgan and he slipped to 4th behind Andy Gordan. Neil Peters top mast collar had slipped so he missed this race.

Race Six

Perhaps now the heavyweights had the stamina for the final battle. The left side of the course seemed to hold the key to a fast windward leg, sailing on Starboard in the weaker outgoing flow and port in the stronger flow to get the best out of the lee bow effect into mark one. Simon Barrington passed Steve on the last trip to mark one on yet again another large left shift but on the downwind run Steve re passed Simon and to take the gun at the finish. Neil Peters had his best result of the weekend having returned to the course taking 3rd from Andy Gordan. Chris Fyans had learned from the max cunningham system and also posted his best result taking a 5th in the final race. Jenn Botterill was a fantastic 6th in this race still sailing with a smile on her face!

Steve's last three race wins added to his two second places on the first day to take the title again from an improving Simon Barrington and Ian Morgan. Commiseration's to Greg Carey for his gear failure as he would certainly have finished in the chocolates. First Lady went to Kerry Tucker who once again showed the versatility of this rig finishing 6th overall and never outside the top 9.

Overall Results: