Albacore Inland Championships at Scaling Dam Sailing Club

by Judy Armstrong 11 May 2014 20:36 BST 3-4 May 2014

A near tropical Saturday with very light and fickle wind greeted the 15 boats from as far away as Lymington.

Race 1

In shifty conditions Judy and Paul Armstrong sailing their new wood topped Ovington 8209 took a big lead, closely followed by 7518 Reckless Rat sailed by Peter Snowdon and Sam Young, then Nev Herbert and Mark Fowler. At the finish Judy and Paul had to cover Nev and Mark as they got lifted up the wall side. So Judy and Paul took first blood from Nev and Mark then John Greenwood and Phil Smith.

Race 2

The wind shifted again as the sea breeze fought with the forecast direction, Judy and Paul led again followed by Peter and Paula Tyers. Towards the finish the wind swung 360. Some boats finished on a run where others had to beat. Judy and Paul took the bullet from Peter and Paula Tyers then Peter Snowdon and Sam.

Race 3

The Race Officer set a shorter course, expecting the wind to die away. Neville Herbert got a big wind shift at the start right and sailed from the committee boat to the windward mark in one tack. With lots of position changing through the fleet Nev took the bullet from Judy and Paul who fought back to 2nd with Crawford Reid and Becca Clarkson 3rd. After a stressful day on the water it was karaoke time! X factor it wasn't. Enough said. A fab night was had and some bad heads loomed the next day.

Sunday was grey and a steady force 4 S/W.

Race 4

After a great start Nev developed a good lead by the windward mark. Judy and Paul capsized on the run, and were forced to retire, the race had to be abandoned due to a incorrectly published course. The race restarted with two beats and a long run the length of the reservoir Nev took the lead and held it till the finish to win from John Greenwood & Phil Smith in 8152 Albaholic.

Race 5

The Race Officer set a course with a long beat and some fast reaches. Simon Law and Joy Mapp in 8135 lead for the first lap followed by Nev and Mark .Judy and Paul mid fleet. The second lap Judy and Paul found good off wind speed and planed into a lead that they held till the finish. Nev and Mark 2nd, Peter and Sam 3rd who sailed a great penultimate beat.

This gave Judy and Paul the Inlands title for the 5th year in succession.

Overall Results:

Pos	Sail No	Helm	Crew	Club	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	Pts
1st	8209	J Armstrong	P Armstrong	Scaling Dam SC	1	1	2	‑3	1	5
2nd	8192	N Herbert	M Fowler	Tewkesbury SC	2	‑6	1	1	2	6
3rd	8152	J Greenwood	P Smith	RYA	3	‑7	6	2	5	16
4th	7518	P Snowdon	S Young	Scaling Dam SC	4	3	‑8	6	3	16
5th	8132	P Tyers	P Tyers	Ogston	5	2	‑9	5	6	18
6th	8135	S Law	J Mapp	Ogston	6	‑8	5	4	4	19
7th	6703	C Reid	R Clarkson	Strathclyde Loch	8	4	3	7	(DNF)	22
8th	8133	M Banner	B Banner	Leigh & Lowton	‑12	5	7	8	7	27
9th	8129	P Tindall	R Box	Maidenhead	7	10	4	9	(DNC)	30
10th	8182	T Teubner	R Haeckl	West Kirby	9	11	10	‑12	8	38
11th	7508	D Whittle	I Smith	South Cerney SC	10	9	‑12	11	10	40
12th	6504	S Bailey	S Todd	Nottingham SC	11	12	‑14	10	9	42
13th	6960	A Fearnley	D Brown	Scaling Dam SC	14	13	11	(DNC)	DNC	54
14th	8134	K Richards	D Hodgson	Scaling Dam SC	13	14	15	(DNC)	DNC	58
15th	5122	T Howard	A Howard	Scaling Dam SC	(DNC)	15	13	DNF	DNC	60