Flying Fifteen open meeting at Bewl Sailing Association

First round of the 2019 Southern Travellers Trophy at Bewl © Hannah Evans

After several weeks of unsuitable weather Bewl Water provided near ideal conditions over the weekend of 23rd and 24th for the Flying 15 open meeting incorporating the first round of the Southern Travellers Trophy. Sixteen boats entered, five of which where visitors including Mark Weston and Andy Weatherspoon who had journeyed down from Yorkshire.

The three races scheduled for Saturday saw overcast conditions with the wind blowing a steady 10 to 12 knots from the North, A slight drop in wind speed to around 8 knots and some tricky wind shifts obligingly waited until nearly the end of the third race. Although Pip Hudson and his daughter Alice (3889) from Broxbourne with two wins and a second place under their belts were clear leaders at the end of day one there was a very competitive gaggle close astern led by Colin Nutt and Chris Hough (3898), Mark Weston and Andy Weatherspoon (4061), John Wardrop and Mark Munday (3911) and Robert Hogben and Glyn Morgan (3953). No matter how you worked the permutations it would have needed a very poor result by the Hudson family on day two for anyone else to stand a chance of overall victory.

Sunday dawned with unseasonably bright sunshine and a distinct lack of wind. A light breeze filled in from the North East and after a short delay race 4 was sailed in a 10 knot breeze which began to die and produce the odd hole for the unwary. Pip and Alice with their third victory ensured their name would be on the winner's trophy. The final race was a test of patience for both race officers and crews but eventually produced a well-deserved victory for Mark and Andy.

Overall Results: