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Hangover Handicap Race at Crosby Sailing Club

by Ian Middleton 7 Jan 2014 16:12 GMT 5 January 2014

Sunday 5th January saw Crosby SC hold their annual Hangover Handicap open races. The weather forecast probably put any visitors off, it was touch and go for the club members. Being an open meeting it was an 11.00 start, this caught a few out who stayed in bed too long.

The choice was made to go out, as the forecast was for winds to hit force 8 plus early afternoon. A small band of mad single-handers took to the water, and their hands froze within minutes. Notice was posted for the club capsize championship contenders practising even prior to the five minute signal. A short beat up to the windward mark saw a new face lead the fleet of three phantoms, James Middleton home from University had borrowed a phantom having never sailed one to lead the regulars. Gusts took the fleet on a broad reach to the next mark to turn onto another beat. The phantoms all rounded one after each other within three boat lengths and the better built big boys took over. Tim Mercer took the lead and Ian Middleton started to push, with Matt Mercer in his newly acquired RS300 flashing around seemingly out of control by his speeds.

Over the next four hard laps the phantoms swapped places, the two lasers and solo swapped places. Andy Eland in his laser posted notice that he was up for the club champion this year, throwing himself into the water four times. His capsize technique getting better as he didn't swim, a superior leg over style has been adopted. The wind gusts started to top 35knots, which saw Tim blown straight over as he rounded the downwind mark, and Ian had to dive to leeward to avoid hitting either hull and then running over the sail. The cold water saw Tim up in seconds, and only feet separated the two. On the final beat to the finish, the boats split tacks. Ian taking the line by 2 seconds, with son James a minute back in third.

After fleet consultation over a coffee, the decision was made to call it a day as the wind had started to blow F7 and bigger gusts.

Overall Results:

1st Ian Middleton
2nd Tim Mercer
3rd James Middleton
4th Danny Lock
5th Chris Orchard
6th Andy Eland
7th Matt Mercer

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