Miracle Open at North Lincolnshire and Humberside Sailing Club

Miracles at North Lincs © Kenneth Gibson

Miracles at North Lincs © Kenneth Gibson

And now for something completely different!

As a first North Lincolnshire and Humberside Sailing Club ran a "sprint" competition which was 11 short races, rather than the usual 5 races of 1 hour. At 20-30 minutes each it was fast and furious with a premium on starts and not making mistakes – but if you did make a mistake there was quickly another chance to have another go. OK, the dire weather forecast of rain and wind (plus a couple of previous injuries to helms) dropped the entries somewhat, but those that did come to sail or watch had a stupendous time.

4 boats register and 3 sailed. It looked like Stan Lubner and Brian Henline's weekend when they won the first 3 races, not least due to a capsize by Richard and Todd Brameld, near the end of the last lap in race 2, which allowed them to jump through to the finish.

However, after lunch, with all to play for, spinnakers were flown despite the wind and it was Richard and Todd who took the wins in races 4, and 6. John Willars and Rachel Day took the win in Race 5. Both crews were delighted as for each it was the first time they had won a race at an open event.

Sunday the wind moderated and there was more emphasis on sailing skill rather than survival. Places swopped and the only way to know who would finish where was to wait for the finish. With 1 discard and finishing places swopping there was all to play for in the final race. Whilst Richard and Todd held the series lead, they could not afford to make mistakes. The end came and overall it was Richard and Todd first in the event, Jon and Rachel second, followed by Stan and Brian third.

4 boats registered, though only 3 chose to sail in view of the 38 kph gusts on top of the 20 kph steady wind which was scudding across the water whipping up the white horses. The rain which was forecast tended to pass parallel with the water and miss the fleet, but it still found the sailors on a few occasions ensuring if they were not wet already they were by the end of the squall.

Race 1 - It was Stan Lubner and Bran Henline (40??) who made the best start, not least because the other 2 boats both managed to capsize – fighting for the same piece of water to drop their masts into! However, it was noted both helms were able to make their centreboards and "dry capsize". Both were able to sail their boats dryish and then began the chase to catch Stan. Richard and Todd Brameld (3131) showed remarkable speed and caught up and over took Stan and Brian, but after the final mark when sailing for the line the timing of the tacks was critical and it was Stan and Brian who made the advantage and just pipped in for first place.

Race 2 - All boats crossed the line no problem and Stan and Brian went to the right hand of the course and were first at the windward mark, they bore off to fly down the offwind leg leaving the other boats to chase them down. Stan and Brian held their lead, though to defend their position they were seen to fly their spinnaker the next time round. However, the next time they were near the committee boat they stalled on a tack and Richard and Todd nipped through. Again it was a fight up the beat as the wind blew up and at the gybe mark it was just too much and Richard and Todd capsized. Approaching the recovering boat Stan and Brian chose to tack around rather than gybe and were able to sail past and take their second win.

Race 3 - Once again Stan and Brian took a flyer at the start leaving Richard & Todd and Jon Willars & Rachel Day playing catch up. With the boats choosing to go different ways up the beats there were gains to be made and lost, but it was Stan and Brian who made the best of it to take another first.

Before the next race there was a welcome lunch for the tired crews who then set off for the 4 races of the afternoon.

Race 4 - A more moderate wind saw all 3 boats flying spinnaker. Positions changed but Richard and Todd went ahead leaving Jon and Rachel battling it out with Stan and Brian for the 2nd and 3rd places. This time it was Richard and Todd who won, followed by Jon & Rachel and Stan & Brian.

Race 5 - Despite a squall spinnakers flew again and this time they gybed them rather than dropping them at the corner mark. Jon and Rachel fought with Richard and Todd, only just keeping the initiative so that at the finish they took their first win by only half a dozen boat lengths from Richard and Todd.

Race 6 - Another squall and another splitting of the fleet to left and right up the beat found Richard and Todd well ahead at the windward mark with Jon and Rachel rounding with Stan and Brian on their tail. Richard and Todd's boat speed was visible as they extended their lead and with the rest of the fleet began beating into the white horses which had reappeared. Stan and Brian decided to call it a day and sailed for shore and the final result was Richard and Todd first with Jon and Rachel second.

Lighter, steadier, winds and rain on Sunday that stopped for the start of racing meant it was a much more pleasant day.

Race 7 - This time it was Jon Willars and Rachel Day who sprung out of the start. Stan & Brian and Richard & Todd were left to battle it out for second and third with places swopping on a frequent basis. First over the line for their first ever win were Jon and Rachel, (Rachel only started sailing this year!) and their delight was matched by te pleasure those ashore also felt for their win. In the end it was Richard and Todd second, Stan and Brian third.

Race 8 - Everyone had a good start this race. Jon and Rachel took the lead, with Stan and Brian behind and Richard and Todd chasing both boats. However, this was the order at the finish despite Richard and Todd making many gains.

Race 9 - Stan and Brian had a cracker of a start this time, but after the windward mark where there were issues with shifting winds and some weed it was Richard and Todd who came out a long way ahead, followed by Stan and Brian with Jon and Rachel close behind. Half way round Stan and Brian had a problem and Jon and Rachel were able to shoot past. In the end Richard and Todd Won, with Jon and Rachel second and Stan and Brian retired.

Race 10 - Race 10 had all boats clean away at the start and tight racing which resulted in another first for Stan and Brian, followed by Jon and Rachel, with Richard and Todd at the end.

Race 11 - Everything now hinged on this last race as those in the know calculated the results and who could gain where. All were off an a clean start and out of the windward mark it was Richard and Todd, followed by Jon and Rachel, with Stan and Brian behind. A leeward mark saw this change around as Stan and Brian achieved an overlap and were able to squeeze past Jon and Rachel. At the front Richard and Todd used the boat speed they had demonstrated all weekend to take the final gun first, and the series win.

Overall Results: