Sprint 15 Open at Halifax Sailing Club
by Charles Watson 21 Jun 2005 09:18 BST
18-19 June 2005
Paul Smith enjoys the conditions at the Halifax Sprint 15 open © K Brennan
Nine travellers joined five home boats in Halifax SC’s first Sprint event. True to form England’s highest sailing club turned up trumps with a warm SE veering SW wind which built during Saturday.
Race one saw tight bunching on the line but a clean start, as were they all. George Carter (1818) took an early lead up the beat & retained his lead, taking line honours from Paul Smith & Neil Storr, the chasing pack enjoying close competition all weekend.
In race two G Carter (1818) lead the charge, followed by Storr, Charles Watson, George Stephens & Bob Carter. Watson passed Storr & pulled away, only to be passed in the last lap by R Carter, but snatching back second place on the line.
Carter (1818) once again led in race 3 with Watson & Smith having a good tussle, leading to Watson eventually pulling away for second place, R Carter held forth until a navigational mistake let Storr through.
George Love won the Pro-Am race on Sunday morning.
Race four gave the Carters a one two with Smith in third & Stephens forth.
Race five started with Smith & Dave Hollyoak getting to the windward mark ahead of G Carter (1818), but Carter managed to haul both in. Watson got past Hollyoak on the last reach & covered Hollyoak up the short final beat to take third.
Overall Results:
1st 1818 G Carter (Grafham SC) 4pts
2nd 1961 P Smith (Beaver SC) 10pts
3rd 1237 C Watson (Halifax SC) 11pts
4th 1945 R Carter (Grafham SC) 15pts
5th 1715 N Storr (Beaver SC) 18pts