Heron and Mirror Open at Yeadon Sailing Club

Winds, unusually, from the south-east cast interesting wind shadows across No. 8 buoy, making this one of the most strategic marks in the race. With eight Herons and two Mirrors, there was some tense, and unexpected, sailing.

Race 1 - Andrew Molyneux (2111 - Huddersfield SC) led almost from the start, increasing his lead progressively throughout this race. David an Emily Butler (10340 - Welton SC) led the 2-handed dinghies, apart from excellent strategy at No. 8 mark, giving Dennis and Jo Beard (10070 – Yeadon SC) the lead until they hit a hole in the wind just a few metres after the buoy, giving 10340 the chance to find wind, pull ahead and on the run, get the spinnaker up. Chased hard by single handed sailor Jim Robison (10317 – Huddersfield). A race developed between 10317 and Paul Barnes (10338 – NSCS), with 10338 managing to increase lead at No. 8 buoy, with 10317 crossing the line before 10338.

Race 2 – good starts from both 2111 and 10340, with the singlehanders 10317 and 10338, but 2111 took and maintained his lead throughout. After equipment failure in race 1 Trish Atkinson and Louise Harding (10335 – Yeadon SC) kept close to the pack, losing some distance at No. 8 on the second lap, but pulling up repeatedly. 10317 was closely chased by 10338, which pulled ahead and overtook him by good use of a lucky wind. 10340 kept well up with the single-handers throughout and again had the spinnaker up on the runs. Difficult wind at No.8 put 10070 behind all the pack, but it found wind, roared around to the mark and got ahead.

After 2 races, three boats were equal third, making race 3 critical.

Race 3 - An unexpected start to Race 3, with 2111 well at the back of the fleet over the start line, and Eddie Edmundson (10337 – Yeadon SC) and junior James Edmundson (Mirror 10868 – Yeadon SC) leading the single handed fleet into the third leg. Interesting winds at No.8 buoy continued to tax sailors and delight those watching from the clubhouse. 10317 took the lead during the second lap, seeming to handle a difficult gust, but finally losing to the wind, capsizing and giving the lead to 2111 who had been creeping up the fleet throughout the race.

Overall Results:

Bell Trophy
1st Andrew Molyneux 2111
2nd Jim Robison 10317
3rd Dave and Emily Butler

Mirrors
1st John Wheble (M33143 – Yeadon SC)
1st Junior, James Edmundson

Willy Wader Trophy for first Yeadon SC: Dennis and Jo Beard

Full results can be found at www.yeadonsailingclub.co.uk/notice_board.asp using the results tab.