Heron Open at Yeadon Sailing Club

Saturday the 4th of September marked the Heron open meeting at Yeadon and the first open meeting since 2019 at the club, Yeadon had five entries in the end and we were joined by one visitor from Welton Sailing Club - David Butler. Sadly, this time without his crew Emily who we all hope is OK after testing positive for Covid.

The line-up for Yeadon was as follows - Louise Harding crewed in her boat for Jackie Friend who, I believe I'm right in saying was racing a heron for the first time. Martin Parish who was attending his first Heron open meeting in Dennis Beards old Heron and Tony Dufton was joined by a new crew from the Gregory family the enthusiastic junior AJ. Two club boats were filled by single handers John Wheble from the Mirror class and new to sailing who had only attended to sail à Pico ended up doing his first race Marco.

We were greeted to a steady light wind from the north which continued to stay with us all day, not too much not too little but just enough.

So to race one David lead the way with a good start and the race throughout not too far behind was john Wheble who ended some way back, in third place was Tony and AJ and catching fast near the finish line was Jackie and Louise closely followed by Martin.

Everybody enjoyed their own lunches and a chat.

To the second race. This time we were joined by Marco in the one of the four club Herons who did a sterling job in his first race. Once again David lead the way with John Wheble trying to keep up, after some tussling Tony and AJ finished third again with Jackie and Louise right behind them after being aided by a gust on the last run. Martin and Marco steadily catching up (in that order).

After a quick stop the third race began this time David had a late start. Places between the rest if the fleet changed for the first couple of laps until Dave worked his way through the fleet to take his usual position and the rest of the fleet followed suite. This time with Jackie almost crossing Tony on the finish line.

So it finished: first, David Butler, second John Wheble, third Tony Dufton and (first) Junior AJ, fourth (first Ladies boat) Jackie and Louise, fifth Martin Parish and sixth Marco.

What would happen the next day at Huddersfield as David Martin and Tony pack their boats up ready for the journey to Hade edge. Thank you to Yeadon sailing club and everyone who took part.