Notts County Sailing Club First of Year Race

Notts County SC First of Year race © David Eberlin

Slow handicap at the second mark during the Notts County SC First of Year race © David Eberlin

Notts County Sailing Club's First of the Year Race attracted a great turnout with fifty craft, and a good number of visitors from as far afield as 'Portsmouth University', but many from local clubs such as Nottingham Sailing Club, Staunton Harold, Burt & Attenborough joined the first race of 2016. The event raised over £400 for Cancer Research from entry fees.

Sailing was for the Geoff Parker Memorial trophy, many will remember Goeff from previous New Years Day races, and the Phil Davis Challenge Cup, Phil was an active windsurfer, then dinghy sailor at the club.

The light winds saw a tricky first lap as the wind swung and filled in from a different direction. John Sears took an early lead in an RS400, but an unexpected shift saw him loose a number of places, John Parr took the lead, with Richard Mason all from Notts County on his tail, but only a few boats and very little time behind was Peter Gray & Simon Forbes in a Scorpion from Staunton, on handicap it saw them in the lead for the Fast Handicap trophy.

Peter Gray & Simon Forbes win the Notts County SC First of Year race - photo © David Eberlin

The Junior fleet saw Scarlet Desorgher win.

Meanwhile Rich Pepperdine and Tim Gray from Staunton Harold were showing the slow fleet round, with Stephanie Gunn from Notts County third followed by Kevin Andrews also from the home club.

The Windsurfer fleet saw Gerry Ball win from Russ Towns and Ian Pilkington.

All retired to the clubhouse whilst the results were worked out, for a pint or a warming cup of tea, and a natter including with the many regular non sailors who enjoy coming for a catch up.

Overall Results: