Shropshire Sailing Club Lark Open
by Robert Suggitt 27 Oct 2004 16:34 BST
23-24 October 2004
A small but select band of Lark sailors braved the horrendous weather forecast and descended on Shropshire Sailing Club at the weekend in search of points for the Belle Isle travelers series, this being the penultimate open meeting of the season.
On arrival, the overnight gales had dropped to a light breeze, and the heavy rain held off until the late afternoon.
Bob and Mandy Suggitt demonstrated their mastery of these conditions by winning all three races. However they didn`t have it all their own way. In the first race Stuart and Louise Norris showed good boat speed and local knowledge before giving way to Mandy`s slick spinnaker handling.
In race two Robert Marlow lead until the final mark and looked uncatchable. Unfortunately he rounded the wrong way and let the Suggitt`s by while unwinding.
Race three was the most competitive with four boats chasing the lead throughout. The Suggitts wriggled through at the end followed by Steve Cumley and Nicola Attwood who just edged out the Marlows.
Congratulations are due to Shropshire S.C for organizing an efficient and friendly meeting in difficult conditions. Where else can you have a days sailing, coffee and tea on demand, two cooked lunches and home made cakes for tea, all for £15.00?
Results
1st Bob and Mandy Suggitt, Barnt Green, 2pts
2nd Robert and Nick Marlow, Attenborough, 5 pts
3rd Steve Cumley and Nicola Attwood, Elton, 5pts
4th Stuart and Louise Norris, Shropshire, 6pts