2.4mR Open at Frensham Pond Sailing Club

2.4mR Open at Frensham Pond © Tony Machen

The second 2.4 UK open of the year was held at Frensham Pond SC on the 11th/12th May. Nineteen 2.4s turned out on Saturday evening after an action packed day at the club.

Saturday saw the club Push the Boat Out with over 200 people attending adult training, Tera & Cadet training, Sailability and the usual handicap race. This was topped off with two 2.4 races starting at 4:30.

The wind was northerly which means the windward mark was off the beach, making it a busy first rounding. Jazz and Megan made the early running off the port end of the line. Much place changing happened throughout the race with the usual suspects of Megan, Bruce H and Steve at the front.

With the sun still shining the second race started. Steve was in second for a long time until he stated circling due to a broken pedal. Paul S had woken up to finish behind Megan and Bruce H. John B was having a guest appearance back in the fleet and showing he hasn't lost his touch with a 5th place just behind Kate who like Paul had woken up in the second race.

The usual curry and beer followed the sailing while the fleet talked about the fun forecast for Sunday.

As the fleet arrived at the club with the Enterprise fleet and Sailability in support the pond was like a mirror. It did improve slightly and in true Frensham style it then went round in circles for about half an hour.

2.4mR Open at Frensham Pond - photo © Tony Machen

Once the wind came back to the east the fleet started. After not sailing 2.4s since the inlands last year Martin W-J was starting to remember how it was done finishing second. Nick Cook was having his best open for a few years with the first of two 4th places in the 3rd race. Many of the fleet were very happy having two discards with the next 3 races having beats and runs on the same leg.

The fifth race after lunch saw Mike E usually known for sailing a 303 leading the pack for the first couple of laps before falling behind in the end to 3 national champions. By the last race Megan had had enough of the light and tricky conditions a retired to organise the trolleys for the rest of the fleet. Kate took the starboard end of the line and led the fleet. It was still very tight with Steve leading the fleet after the second mark which should have been the leeward mark but no one was too sure. Bruce was in hot pursuit followed by Martin. In a cruel Frensham twist on the last lap Bruce managed to get the better of Steve.

The fleet retired to the club house for the traditional Frensham tea, an arbitration hearing and finally the prize giving. Thanks to Jeremy our Commodore for being the Race Officer on a very tricky weekend and to everyone who helped especially those who spent the entire weekend at the club. The fleet are looking forward to the next event in Llangorse to finally meet the Welsh fleet on the water.

Overall Results: (top four)

1st Megan Pascoe (FPSC)
2nd Bruce Hill (FPSC)
3rd Steve Bullmore (FPSC)
4th Martin WhittinghamJones (West Kirby SC)