Miracle Open at Welton Sailing Club

Jon Willars (3834) being chased by Dave Butler (4060) and Ben Williamson (4009) with the club in the background during the Welton Miracle Open © John Banks

Richard Brameld (4115) during the Welton Miracle Open © John Banks

Graham Watts (3813) during the Welton Miracle Open © John Banks

Fourteen Miracles attended the Welton Open with 5 races over 2 days held in good weather and winds. Jon Willars takes the Trophy only secured in an exciting last race with Dave Butler coming second and Graham Watts third overall.

Race 1 got off with a clean start in a Force 3 to 4, North Easterly with Jon Willars (3834) first at the end of the first beat with Dave Butler (4060) close behind and Ben Williamson (4009) third. By the end of the first lap Butler had got past Willars and Wayne Atherton (3383) third but by the end of the second lap Graham Watts (3813) had taken over at third place. However, by the end of the race Atherton had got third place back. Butler went on to pull out a good lead to take the gun from Willars with Atherton third.

Race 2 With roughly the same wind as the first race, hot competition resulted in a general recall but all got away cleanly on the second start. Butler took a 720 penalty on the first beat and dropped several places. Willars was first up the first beat with Williamson in second and Richard Wharram (3645) in third. Butler worked his way through the fleet to be the first up the third beat but was overtaken by Willars who took the gun with Watts in second and Butler third.

Race 3 got off to a clean start with a force 4 to 5 wind from the south that gradually veered during the race to SW. Butler was first up the beat with Watts and Willars in close pursuit. At the end of the first lap Willars was first with Richard Brameld (4115) second and Williamson third. These positions remained the same up to the end of the second lap. However, some administrative and competitor misunderstandings regarding a late change in the course while afloat, resulted in Butler and Watts sailing an extra leg on the first lap. They lost several places despite managing to make up a few later in the race. This was corrected following a protest challenge and it was mutually agreed that average points would be awarded to them.

Race 1 starts during the Welton Miracle Open - photo © John Banks

Race 4 The wind freshened to Force 5 and veered during the raced to end up due west. All competitors searching for a good start resulted in a general recall but all got away cleanly at the second attempt. Atherton led up the first beat with Butler followed by Brameld not far behind. Positions changed regularly with Butler finally taking first position with Atherton and Willars in second and third places respectively.

Race 5 was particularly interesting as the winner of the meeting was to be either Willars or Butler depending on their fortunes in this final race. There was close racing all the way round with Willars quickest up the first beat with Willamson in second and Butler third. Just before the start of the second beat, Willars and Williamson had held their positions but Butler had got blanketed going down a spinnaker broad reach and lost his third place to Brameld. As the wind was dropping, the course was shortened to 2 laps with Willars in first place, Brameld had climbed up to second and Willamson third with Butler fourth.

Close racing with Jon Willars (3834) just in front of Dave Butler during the Welton Miracle Open - photo © John Banks

As a result, Willars was the overall winner of the open meeting and all the results are give in the table below.

Overall it was a very well sailed and enjoyable meeting with good weather and as usual wonderful food and cakes all facilitated by the many volunteers.

Overall Results: (five races, 2 discards)

Jon Willars receiving the first prize Trophy from Steve Chilton Commodore of Welton SC after the Welton Miracle Open - photo © John Banks