Three spectacular venues so far on Unicorn Traveller Series
by Daniel Jarman 15 May 2019 12:37 BST
Three spectacular venues, three weekends on the bounce, marked the start of the Unicorn catamaran traveller series held in conjunction with the wider Cat Open scene.
Windsor Castle provided the backdrop for the first event at Datchet Water Sailing Club on 27th 28th April. Despite the tail end of Hurricane Hannah unleashing her wrath over the course on Saturday causing a postponement, the race committee decided to run a rapid-fire eight race series on Sunday for the Formula 18 and mixed fleet as the wind moderated to a cool force 3-4. Dan Jarman enjoyed the trapezing conditions and sailed the full series to gain maximum travellers points from event 1.
The second Catamaran Open event attracted the Unicorns to the snow-capped peaks of Bala Lake, Snowdonia. A healthy turn out of Unicorns included former top dogs Steve Pooley and Owen Cox taking on all time Champ Gary Piper and producing some nail-biting finishes in shifty conditions ranging from force 2-5 which prevailed throughout the May bank holiday weekend. After eight closely fought races Owen Cox came out on top with Piper second and Pooley third.
Spring weather invited Unicorns to the third Catamaran Open at Rutland Sailing Club on 11th 12th May. It took some time for the light winds to settle which enabled the race committee to run two races on Saturday afternoon. Light weather expert Julius Mach mastered the shifting, marginal trapeze conditions to win both races ahead of Thomas Garner and Dan Jarman.
With Rutland Water resembling a mill pond throughout Sunday, unfortunately racing had to be abandoned. Julius Mach was congratulated on winning the third traveller's event.
The Unicorn Traveller Series continues later this season.
Traveller Series Standings:
Owen Cox - 56 points
Gary Piper - 56 points
Steve Pooley - 55 points
Julius Mach - 43 points
Richard Beke - 37 points
Dan Jarman - 31 points
Iain Rogers - 20 points