Comet Versa Inlands at Kingsmead Sailing Club

The Comet Versa Inland championships were held on Saturday 30th May at Kingsmead Sailing Club. Fantastic sunny weather greeted 5 visiting crews and 3 home boats as well as a following fleet of a dozen Comets.

Race officer Chris Boutle and his team started with a course through the windiest part of the lake. Local sailor Norman Coombs had a great start only to be piped to the first mark by Anthea Wright and Peter Coombs who proceeded to lead, followed by Neil Hird and daughter Megan leaving close racing for the rest of the fleet through clouds of dragonflies.

After lunch the race was sent through the "washing machine" as a path of strange wind coming round in circles past the first island was named for the day. This race was again won by Wright/Coombs being followed up by the noisy pair of Mike Wilcox and Andre Newman.

The third race on the same course. Wright/Coombs led to start with but more shifty winds meant that the spinnaker runs were more difficult to maintain. Andrew Keynes sailing single handed and without the use of a spinnaker did well, but was overtaken through the washing machine by Neil Hird crewed by David Talbot.

It was definitely “worth the trip” but probably remembered as “fun but frenetically flucky”.

Overall Results: