Magic Marine Cowes Dinghy Week at Gurnard Sailing Club
by Mike Martin 12 Aug 2011 04:27 BST
31 July - 5 August 2011
Gurnard Sailing Club welcomed sailors from all over the Island along with some visiting “overners” to Magic Marine Cowes Dinghy Week, traditionally hosted as the build up to Cowes Week. More than 130 boats took part in the seven races, including Formula 18 catamarans and the full range of performance RS dinghies as well as the more traditional Laser classes.
Sunday racing began promisingly with large courses set across to the mainland shore. Unfortunately, falling winds meant that all classes had to be shortened. The RS 400 class, hotly contested by 17 crews, was won by Paul Bowen, laying down a marker for the week. Meanwhile in the Medium class, Dare Barry in his National 12 was able to take advantage of TimWilkins’ course error. Jim McMillan had a good day in his Laser, posting a win ahead of Ben Gibson.
Monday saw much lighter winds, when Race Officer Mark Harrison was pleased to be able to set courses which allowed all classes to complete at least one race. On Tuesday, however, there was no choice but to abandon racing for all classes.
On Wednesday, the racing was really heating up. Although Bowen just managed to get the better of Graham Deegan in the first of the RS400s’ two races, Brett Aarons posted a win in the second. In the Shadow fleet, Robin Leather was not getting it all his own way, with Carl Blenkinsop posting his first win of the week. Jane Peckham continued to dominate in the Radial class. The Fast Handicap class saw a win for Andy Paterson’s 29er in the second of the two races.
Thursday’s racing saw wild conditions. During the morning racing, some fleets experienced gusts of 30 knots, meaning that the safety crews were kept very busy. There were two dismastings in the cats and a number of retirements in all classes. The heavier winds saw Steve Cole’s RS800 come to the fore in the Fast fleet and Mark Robinson‘s Contender post a convincing win in the Medium fleet. In the Slow class, Ed Rowlandson was pleased to get a win in the morning race while Simon Bean (Miracle) managed a convincing win in the afternoon.
Friday saw perfect sailing conditions, with all classes enjoying racing in Thorness Bay. Already confirmed as the winner of the RS400 class, Bowen chose to leave his boat on the beach for the final race of the series. The remaining helms jostled for the best start, with five on course side when the gun went off. Only two helms answered the recall meaning disappointment for Luke Bradley, James Downer and Ben Willows when they led the fleet home.
There was a particularly close finish in the Medium class with Tim Wilkins pipping the Blaze of Miles Mence by just one second on handicap, to take the overall first prize. In the Radials, Libby Deegan just beat Georgia Caws by a single point when the sums were done to take second overall to Jane Peckham’s first place. Bradley McLaughlin’s win was enough to give him first overall from local boy Harry Blowers in the Laser 4.7s. Robin Leather had done enough to win the Shadows as had Keith Hayden in the Fast Handicap fleet.
At the evening prize-giving, Vice Commodore Mark Harrison thanked all the sponsors, and the numerous volunteer helpers who had contributed to another successful week. Ian Gilmour of Magic Marine, who presented the prizes to the overall winners, congratulated all involved and confirmed their commitment to a five year sponsorship package for this popular event.
Overall Results:
Fast Cats
1 Doug Wright/Joe Hawkins
2 Chris Murphy/Jo Pollon
3 Adam and Sarah Younger
Shadow Cats
1 Robin Leather
2 Carl Blenkinsop
3 Lawrie Gustar
Fast Handicap
1 Keith Hayden (RS700)
2 Andy and Pat Paterson (29er)
3 Martin Scott (RS700)
RS400
1 Paul Bowen/Shaun Kellett
2 Graham Deegan/Judith French
3 Brett Aarons/Robbie Southwell
Medium Handicap
1 Tim Wilkins/Heather Martin (RS500)
2 Chris Gillies (RS200)
3 Dare Barry/Tom Griffiths (National 12)
Laser
1 Ben Gibson
2 Jim McMillan
3 Martin Bean
Laser Radial
1 Jane Peckham
2 Libby Deegan
3 Georgia Caws
Laser 4.7
1 Brad McLaughlin
2 Harry Blowers
3 Emma Baker
Slow Handicap
1 Harry Carter (Pico)
2 Simon and Alice Bean (Miracle)
3 Martin and Charlotte Conder (Feva)
Yachts & Yachting Trophy for best overall performance: Jane Peckham
Endeavour Trophy: James Doig and Matt Green
John Davies Memorial Trophy: Georgia Caws
Full results on the Gurnard Sailing Club website.