10R Ranking 3 event at Norwich Model Yacht Club

Graham Bantock wins the 10R Ranking 3 event at Norwich © Graham Nelson

Just five competitors turned up at Norwich to take part in 10R Ranking 3. All but one had competed in the RM Ranking Event the day before. The weather was bitterly cold with what started as a brisk Northerly wind which every now and then dropped to nil and then in the space of a minute blew up again.

This became a headache for PRO Vinnie Zammit and his team, however a course was set across the lake which allowed for 3 beats to windward before finishing on the run.

From the start Graham Bantock showed his worth, winning the first 3 races and then another 3 before lunch thereby leading the event. Following him was Duncan Ellis, who managed to win 3 races himself.

After lunch much the same resumed with Graham winning another 6 races Duncan winning another 3 and Hugh McAdoo squeezing one in himself.

Sympathy must go to Roy Stevens, whose boat seemed to have fallen in love with the Norwich buoys and was consistently hugging them. Roy eventually retired, leaving as many race team as competitors.

Mention must be made of Phil Holiday who sailed some good races, but it just was not his day.

Well done the race team in supporting the event in what can only be described as lousy cold weather.

Well done Graham on winning the 6M National, RM Ranking 1 and 10R Ranking 3 at Norwich on his last three visits.