Shadow Training and TT at Gurnard Sailing Club
by Mike Martin 12 May 2011 21:58 BST
6-8 May 2011
Robin Leather and Paul Tanner fight it out in last race of the Shadow TT at Gurnard © Patrick Balcaen
Plenty of wind
The Gurnard Shadow TT attracted 13 entries, and enjoyed excellent wind conditions throughout. This year the class has adopted a bigger spinnaker, making the boats more exciting to sail and this open meeting represented the largest gathering of new and converted boats to date.
Friday was Training Day – which proved popular at the 2010 event. Robin Leather had put together a comprehensive agenda on all aspects from rigging to sailing fast, and the newbies were able to practice in the afternoon what was preached in the morning.
Saturday served up a cracking SEasterly and 3 races back-to-back under race officer Steve Cole generated fine appetites for the clubhouse supper. Robin Leather gave notice of his intent with a win in the first race – and in the second and third – but behind him the competition was bunched with Paul Tanner, Carl Blenkinsop and Laurie Gustar all counting places in the first 6.
Jules Salter earned a good second place in race 2 by navigating the long cross-Solent beat correctly but needed more consistency to trouble the leaders.
Sunday provided a strengthening breeze from the west and stronger tide. Jules and new owner Nick Hart found their stride in the tougher conditions, but too late for an assault on the podium. Mike Martin also enjoyed more wind and was closing on Laurie Gustar’s third place overall in the last race, when a spectacular diving pitchpole metres from the last buoy took Gustar out of contention.
Robin Leather and Paul Tanner fought tooth and nail for the last race and after a high speed spinnaker leg with several place changes, Leather took the gun by a mere 2 seconds to complete a clean sweep and an emphatic win overall. Well done to him.
Overall Results:
1st Robin Leather
2nd Paul Tanner
3rd Mike Martin
4th Laurie Gustar
5th Jules Salter
6th Carl Blenkinsop
7th Nick Hart
8th Dave Downer
9th Tony Wyeth
10th Chas Bedford