ILCA Midlands Grand Prix Series Finale at Burton Sailing Club

ILCA Midlands Grand Prix at Burton © Glyn Smith

ILCA Midlands Grand Prix at Burton © Glyn Smith

Following some really valuable coaching from coaches,Tim Rush and George Panter along with assistance from Richard and Sarah Mason on Saturday, we arose to a glorious, bright autumn morning and the promise of a good breeze throughout the day for the final event of the Midlands Traveller Grand Prix series.

25 ILCAs in various rig sizes, took to the water on Burton Sailing Club's Foremark reservoir for the first race of four.

On a course with two beats and three varying reaches, the first lap was led by two ILCA 6 rigs. By the second lap, 206662, Sam Mckay from Swarkestone SC, making good use of the 7 rig, took the lead only to capsize rounding the last mark, marginally losing the lead, but it was still a close race to the finish line with 207087, Archie Burton from Beaver Sailing Club just holding out for the win. 216387, Nathan Smith from Staunton Harold SC was third across the line but Archie, still a junior, had performed fantastically, and indeed continued to do so, taking the overall win at the end of the days four races, only discarding a 4th place in the final race. Although behind 183264, Savva Tretyakov, from Penarth yacht club was scored second with his PY handicap adjustment. Savva finished the day, third overall, adding a third and fifth place to his days tally.

Race two started with a stiff breeze. 207087, Archie, shot through into the lead towards the end of the first lap, closely pushed by 216387, Nathan, and 215423, Andy Wetherspoon, from Derwent SC. John Ling 219662, from Bartley SC, who eventually finished second in the overall results, being first ILCA 7, also made tremendous speed on the broad reach towards the penultimate mark.

ILCA Midlands Grand Prix at Burton - photo © Glyn Smith

Rounding the last mark John just pinched the lead from Nathan with Archie alongside. Andy was pushed wide at the Mark not having water and John was able to cut in taking his position. Slightly behind was 211259, Richard Mason from Notts County SC, and 212061, Simon Hardyman from Bartley SC, leaving a gap to the rest of the feet.

Nearing the end of the second lap with one more lap anticipated, the lead was closely fought between four boats, 206662 marginally ahead of 219662 and 216387 with 207087 chasing them hard. And then came three boats, 211259 followed by 212061 and 215423. As they approached the last mark the wind picked up to mid 20 kn with white caps, and the boats which were planing on a broad reach having to harden up at the mark into the beat sheeting in as quickly as possible but trying not to capsize. Sadly 215423 failed to achieve this.

Leading Burton boat now was Carl Avery 197774, some way behind the top group but ahead of 156189, Rose Jury, leading a bunch chasing hard.

Fortunately for the scorers the fleet was less crowded for the last lap which was won by Sam Mackay followed by Nathan Smith who had to share second-place with Archie Burton after handicap adjustments were made. John Ling was fourth.

ILCA Midlands Grand Prix at Burton - photo © Glyn Smith

Following a break for lunch, race three started in fair conditions, but the wind picked up again halfway through the first lap and there was some exciting planing on the long broad reach to the penultimate mark. 216387 lead with 219662 and 207087, close behind.

Next came 183264, Saava Tretyakov, and 212061 closely followed by 206662 and 211259, Richard Mason, who capsized rounding the mark.

On the second and last lap 219662 had pulled a healthy lead of 20 to 30 seconds as he rounded the last mark followed by the radial 207087 being hustled by 216387, with 212061 also pushing hard. A little way behind came 206662 on a 7 rig and 211529 followed by 6 rig, 183264 who took a different approach to the finish hoping to make up some ground but unfortunately this didn't work.

ILCA Midlands Grand Prix at Burton - photo © Glyn Smith

A wind shift meant the start line had to be reset but the course itself was still fine for the fourth and final race in somewhat calmer conditions and that enabled the ILCA 7s to dominate the front few places. Winning Was Simon Hardiman 212061 followed by John Ling 219662 in close company with Nathan Smith 216387 and Sam Mckay 206662, Mike heap 189200 from Ogston Sailing Club was the first 6 rig, placing him 2nd on handicap for this race.

For the home club, Carl Avery 197774, achieved his best position of fifth place across the line, well clear of 189200 and 207087.

No rain, good wind, and no serious incidents, all in all it was a great day and a fitting finale to the 2022 Midlands Grand Prix Series, won once again by Bartley Sailing Club's John Ling.

We are lucky to have a deep reservoir here at at Foremark Reservoir, where we are fortunate enough to still be able to sail, even though this summer's drought has made it a long walk back up the slipway.

Overall Results: