Shearwater Travellers at Hastings & St Leonards Sailing Club
by Shaun Allen 22 Jul 2011 14:28 BST
2-3 July 2011
11 boats gathered at Hastings & St.Leonards Sailing Club, for the third Travellers Trophy meeting of the season. A light South Easterly accompanied the first race, with Nigel and Sarah Stuart on Simsek establishing an early lead, and first to the windward mark. This was eroded in subsequent laps by the pack, led by Alan Howland and Rob Brittan on Alley Cat. But Simsek held their nerve to take the gun.
Race 2 saw a diminishing breeze and strengthening ebb tide, requiring a careful inshore beat amongst the groins. Alley Cat had established a modest lead by the second lap, which they maintained to the gun, despite consistent pressure from Nick Elliot and Anna Allen on Cajensa.
Race 3 brought no change to conditions, with Simsek and Cajensa away from the Line first. Shaun Allen and Claire Robinson on Carbon Footprint leading the pack, with Simsek and local sailors Murray Greenhill and Louise Cully on Diligaf constantly challenging for third place, but the order remained till the final gun.
Saturday evening was filled with lively entertainment, and excellent hospitality. All taking place beneath the seafront promenade, in a unique subterranean Club house, that is the home of Hastings & St. Leonards S.C.
Sunday morning awoke with a steady Force 2-3 from the South-west, which did much to clear some heads! A busy start saw Cajensa break away from the pack, to seaward and in clear air. First to the windward mark they were closely followed by Carbon Footprint, Alley Cat and local sailors Barry Duck and John Wiseman on New Flame, and fellow locals Rob Hamilton and Taylor Playford on China Crisis, vying with Grace and Derek Williams on UFO. Cajensa held the lead to the final gun, despite numerous challenges.
The concluding Race 5 of the event began again with the pack sailing in close company. Carbon Footprint was first around the windward mark, and maintained the lead until the second beat. After which Simsek pulled ahead, closely followed by Alley Cat and Cajensa. The new order remaining until the final gun.
A big thanks to Hastings for a superbly run event, in blazing sunshine, crystal blue water, and ordering in the wind for the Sunday.
Overall Results:
1st 2006, A.Howland & R.Brittan, 6pts
2nd 1976, N.Elliot & A.Allen, 8pts
3rd 2003, N.Stuart & S.Stuart, 10pts
4th 1999, S.Allen & C.Robinson, 12pts
5th 2003, M.Greenhill & L.Cully, 20pts