505 Open at Whitstable Yacht Club
by Ben Iliffe 23 May 2014 21:25 BST
17-18 May 2014
Saturday started with a light winds a glorious sunshine. Alex Barry who had travelled all the way from IRL to race with Adam Kenney, a combination that was second in last year's nationals, started strongly putting in three bullets in the first three races. Second over night were locals Tudor Owen and Keith boarders with a 3,2,3, third at the half way point was Charlie Waters and Dougal Cram with 2,3,5.
Saturday dawned and well frankly seemed very bright after the previous evening hospitalities. Which saw the club, put on a great band and meal for the competitors.
After an hour's postponement the fleet launch to a less steady of shore breeze that saw interesting choices to be made with regard to tide and shifts.
In the first race the lead changed several times between Walters/Cram, Barry/Kenney & Iliffe/Nurse. At the start of the last run Walters and where in the lead with Iliffe and Nurse just in striking distance with Barry and Kenny further behind. Iliffe attempted to cover Walters down the run slowly catching but not enough, seeing Walters take the win. Mean while Barry and Kenny gybed off and the windward mark and sailed down the run in more breeze gibing on two starboards and heating it up towards the finish. Barry and Kenny sailed fast but a longer distance just overhauling Iliffe & Nurse at the finish - a well-deserved 2nd place after a fantastically sailed last run.
The last race started in similar conditions Walters and Cram headed to the left of the fleet straight from the start tacked on to port and disappeared in to the distance always out of reach from that point.
Leaving the rest of the fleet to battle it out in a lot of place changing, on the penultimate run Iliffe & Nurse overtook Tudor & Boarders by playing the shifts downwind before consolidating up the next beat. Terry Scutcher (of Laser masters fame) sailing with Bruno Vaniekaut the second of our International competitors this time from Belgium went hard left up the final beat to finish 3rd in the final race and 5th overall, Tudor Owen & Keith Boarder 4th, Ben Iliffe & Richard Nurse 3rd, Charlie Walters & Dougal Cram 2nd & Alex Barry and Adam Kenny 1st.
So it just remains to say a big thanks to Whitstable Sailing Club for hosting a great event all the competitors for making it such great racing on the water and great fun off the water.
And a special mention to David and Matt Oakley sailing 505 1317 the boat was originally there grand fathers and is in perfect condition. It was great to have and will growing interest in the possibility of a classic world championship in 2016 and the Endeavour trophy at this year's National Championships to be held a Felixstowe Ferry SC on the 24th-27th July.
See you all on the 21st-22nd June at Stone SC.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | 9104 | Alex Barry | Adam Kenney | BSC/MBSC | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ‑4 | 5 |
| 2 | 8835 | Charlie Waters | Dougal Uram | Datchet SC | 2 | 3 | ‑5 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| 3 | 9079 | Ben Iliffe | R Nurse | KGSG | ‑6 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 11 |
| 4 | 9093 | Tudor Owen | Keith Borders | WYC/Plucks G? Boat Club | 3 | 2 | 3 | ‑6 | 5 | 13 |
| 5 | 8699 | Terry Sca | Bruno Vaniekaut | Cercle de Voile de Valenciennes | 4 | ‑5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 15 |
| 6 | 8905 | Stuart Turnbull | Adrian Howe | Burton SC | 5 | ‑7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 24 |
| 7 | 8419 | Pete Mallaband | Darrel Samanjoul | Datchet SC | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | ‑8 | 26 |
| 8 | 9013 | John Cooper | Dan Spratling | WYC | 8 | 8 | (DNS) | 8 | 6 | 30 |
| 9 | 1317 | David Oakley | Matt Oakley | WYC | ‑9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 35 |