Musto Skiff Open at Rutland Sailing Club

Superb conditions for the 29er, 49er, Musto Skiff & B14 open at Rutland © Tania Samus / www.photoblink.co.uk

Superb conditions for the 29er, 49er, Musto Skiff & B14 open at Rutland © Tania Samus / www.photoblink.co.uk

30 Musto Skiffs arrived at Rutland Sailing Club for the first open meeting of the year. With a light wind forecast for the Saturday, and a heavier wind forecast for the Sunday, it looked the perfect opportunity for everyone to show off what they had been learning through the winter.

The first race of the day was sailed in a fairly light breeze. Richard Stenhouse began where he left off last year by winning, showing that “the heavy ones” can also dominate in the light breeze. Kit Stenhouse also put in a good race with a second, using her local knowledge playing the shifts and pressure.

Race 2 saw the breeze still light, but slightly increasing on the first race. This meant most could get on the trapeze, and lead for an exciting race. The leading pack went left up the second beat, and the risky youths of Tom Wright, Nick Hollis and Dan Henderson went up the right hand side. It seemed that the further right they went the better they came off. Dan lead the race around the windward mark, making up 10 places on that beat to win the race, with Tom Wright in 2nd, and Kit Stenhouse coming in 3rd.

Race 3 was sailed in an increasing breeze which was now around 10-12 knots. Dan Ward showed that winter training had paid off by winning the race, followed by Graeme Oliver, Richard Stenhouse, and Nick Hollis. With the youths of the class competing for the first of the Selden sponsored youth title, it was shaping up to be a close battle as an under 21 was appearing in the top 5 of each race.

The final race of the day was sailed in the strongest breeze, with around 12-15 knots. Again World Champion Richard Stenhouse showed his dominance at his home club putting in a race win. However he was made to battle for his win, as Tom Wright, also of Rutland Water showed brilliant tactics and spotting shifting winds on the right hand side of the course only to finally get reeled in by Richard.

Over night Stenhouse had the lead, followed by Dan Henderson, 1 point ahead of Tom Wright in 3rd. The Selden youth title was to go down to the wire on the Sunday, as only 1 point separated them over night.

Sunday morning arrived with more wind than expected. The fifth race of the series got under way on time in about 12 knots of breeze. Again Richard got back to where he left off on the Saturday to win his 3rd race of the series, closely followed by Tom Wright, and Graeme Oliver.

With the breeze forever increasing, race 6 was sailed in 12-16 knots, with large pressure bands drifting down the course. The race was won by Andy Peake who showed good tactic knowledge and found the pressure on the down wind legs. He was followed closely by Richard, Graeme, and Steve Tylcote who put in one of his best results of the event.

Races 7 and 8 were sailed in the strongest breeze of the weekend. With the club's new weather system showing a gust of 24 knots it was going to prove to be some interesting racing. Dan Vincent hit top form in race 7 to win followed in by Richard Stenhouse, Graeme Oliver, and Dan Henderson. Race 7 also proved to be the race that would put everyone under pressure at the gybing gate as a number of the leading pack all capsized one after another.

Race 8 would be the deciding race for the 1st of the new youth prize that has been kindly sponsored by Selden. Stenhouse again showed great form on his home water to win followed by previous race winner Dan Vincent, Russ Clarke, and Graeme Oliver. Russ who has only been sailing the boat for a short time showed with hard practice it's possible to get to the top of the fleet in a short space of time.

30 boats and 5 different race winners is a great way to start the season... roll on the next event at Stokes Bay on 18 - 19th April.

Many thanks go to Rutland Sailing Club who turned races around fast, and showed great enthusiasm as the host club.

Overall Results: