Miracle Open at Thornton Steward Sailing Club

Light, fluky, winds were the order of the day for the 2 Saturday races at TSSC in North Yorkshire. But there was always something to work with even if it every leg was sailed using every point of sailing at some stage! It was Dave and Jean Reed (Miracle 30) who made the best of the conditions to take the win from Peter Coghill and Margaret Mettam (3807), with Gillan and Kenneth Gibson (3670) in third.

A smaller triangle for the second race as the wind dropped kept the fleet concentrating hard with the same result as before so at the end of the first day the Reeds were first, their best result ever, Peter and Margaret were second and the Gibsons third, also their best result. All was celebrated at the excellent evening meal where the choice of puddings was quite delicious.

Sunday dawned with glorious sunshine and more wind, plus more boats as two more Miracles joined the fleet to put 5 boats on the water, including local boat Ken and Clare McArthur (3486). Wayne Atherton and Angela Sweeny (3383) joined in fresh from the Nationals and assessed the conditions straight off and disappeared into the distance to take first. However, in the next race they, and Peter & Margaret who were second, took the second mark to port instead of starboard and were left to unwind as the Dave & Jean and Gillan & Kenneth sailed through to take first and second positions. Unfortunately they could not hold this situation as Wayne & Angela and Peter & Margaret worked to clawed back their losses. Wayne and Angela did get back to first, but Peter and Margaret could not quite get past David and Jean who took second in the end.

For the last race the wind went lighter and more changeable and most boats found a hole at some stage and the fleet strung out to a greater degree than before. Once again it was Wayne and Angela who came out best to win both this race and the series.

Overall Results:

1st Non Spinnaker: Ken and Clare McArthur