Lark Open at Shropshire Sailing Club

Not only was a warm welcome given to the three visitors that made the visit to this beautiful Mere, but also the weather added its own blistering heat. To cap it all there appeared to be some wind.

With the wind swinging there was a close fight for pole position from the start line of the first race. However, by the first mark it proved that it had not been crucial as all the fleet went down the following run side by side. After some to and fro, it was Tony & Brenda Hotchkiss that took and established a substantial lead with the others fighting it out behind. Eventually John & Sue Billington broke away to catch up in one of the mighty wind shifts to finish a close second at the finish.

Race 2 gave a change of course with another close start. This time John & Sue were in a close battle with Chris & Ann Biglin for the duration of the race. These two kept changing places whilst pulling well away from the rest of the fleet. On the final lap a 90 degree wind shift enabled Tony & Brenda to catch right up but John & Sue hung onto 1st with Chris & Ann 2nd.

So it was all to play for in the last race. By now the wind had swung 180 degrees from the start of the day so yet again there was a change of course. Another tight start with the three visitors all determined to take the race and the meeting. On the first run it was apparent that John & Sue had a very tangled spinnaker but on the short leg they managed to keep control, sort it out and still be in front! They then pulled away from the other two who were involved in their own battle. Finally Chris & Ann broke away from Tony & Brenda and the race finished in rather a procession. With two wins John & Sue took the meeting with Tony & Brenda finishing second by virtue of their win in the first race.

Although so few made the journey the day produced some great racing and a very enjoyable day was had by all.

Overall Results: