Optimist Thames Valley Champs at Dorchester Sailing Club
by Carol Lloyd 4 Jul 2006 15:20 BST
42 competitors for the Dorchester Optimist open © Carol Lloyd
Despite the weather forecast of 2mph winds, a warm day with a gentle pulsating breeze of 5 knots greeted the 42 competitors to Dorchester on Thames for the Dorchester Optimist Open and Thames Valley Championship. The main fleet comprised 16 competitors with the remaining 26 in the Regatta fleet.
The first race started around 11am after much deliberation on the course shape and size. The breeze picked up just after the main fleet started and a short positioning of the windward mark fooled the leaders into over shooting the mark. Dorchester’s Katie Russell spotted the error and took advantage to lead for the first lap eventually being caught by Papercourt’s Aaron Smith and Wraysbury’s Chris Taylor. The Regatta fleet were keen to start and had a general recall before getting away cleanly. The first race was won by Papercourt’s Anneloes Boers, followed by Ben Batten of Lymington and Tom O’Leary of Queensmead.
The second race saw the windward mark moved further down the lake as the breeze held and this time it was Ross Williams of Grafham Water that took 1st place followed by Chris Taylor and Aaron Smith. In the Regatta fleet it was only Ben Batten who held his form to finish 3rd with David Paul of Wraysbury finishing 1st and Papercourt’s David Thomas finishing 2nd.
After lunch the wind switched direction completely and the course was reversed for what turned out to be the last race of the day as the breeze failed. Aaron Smith took the last race to win the Open and retain the Thames Valley Champion’s trophy. Chris Taylor remained consistent to finish 2nd and 2nd overall, Liam Garrison finished 3rd. In the Regatta fleet it was Tom O’Leary that won the last race with David Paul 2nd and Ben Batten 3rd. As only 3 races were sailed there was no discard which gave the leader’s trophy to the consistent Ben Batten followed by Tom O’Leary and David Paul.
Dorchester sailing would like to thank Dinghy Sailing Magazine, IBI Sailing and Ace Boats for contributing to the prizes.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Open Fleet | Thames Valley Championship | Regatta Fleet |
|---|
| 1st | Aaron Smith (Papercourt) | Aaron Smith (Papercourt) | Ben Batten (Lymington) |
| 2nd | Chris Taylor (Wraysbury) | Chris Taylor (Wraysbury) | Tom O’Leary (Queensmead) |
| 3rd | Ross Williams (Grafham Water) | Nicholas Smith (Bowmoor) | David Paul (Wraysbury |
| 4th | Liam Garrison (Lymington) | Will Harris (Papercourt) | Xander Morrison (Papercourt) |
| 5th | Nicholas Smith (Bowmoor) | Katie Russell (Dorchester) | Anneloes Boers (Papercourt) |
| 6th | Mark Billowes (Bristol Corinthian) | James Taylor (Wraysbury) | Richard Stevenson (Dorchester) |