The Staunton Blaster 2024 - part of the East Midlands Mini-Series

The Staunton Blaster © Adam Hewitt

Day 1

Light winds put paid to fast paced sailing on Day 1, in fact almost put paid to any racing! After one race where sailors cajoled their boats along and tried to catch every slight hint of a puff, it was decided to postpone further racing to day two, and retire to the bar to enjoy the rugby. A great decision as what wind there had been disappeared altogether!

Heading into Day 2, last year's Blaster winner, Ogston Sailing Club's Martin Honnor (Solo) led the racing. Home sailors Nigel & Di Pepperdine (RS200) were second. Ogston's R Short & James (Enterprise) third and the home boat of Pete & Rachael Gray (Scorpion) was fourth.

The Staunton Blaster - photo © Alan Bennett

Day 2

Sunday looked more promising with a steady 10 gusting up to 19 knots, forecast.

4 races were to be held on the Sunday and the better wind forecast saw more crews join in the fun. Race 2 had 2 long beats and a long run to the end of the lap. Martin Honnor in his Solo from Ogston Sailing Club kept the overall lead with a second preceded by home crew Pete & Rach Gray in their Scorpion, and another home Scorpion of Andy Mckee & Stevie Graham in third.

The wind stayed steady for race 3 with the same long first beat then three long reaches to finish the lap. Pete & Rach again worked their way to finish first, this time with Duncan Adams in his Phantom from Burton Sailing Club showing his speed in second. Home sailor Craig Williamson in his Aero 7 had his best result in third.

After lunch race 4 was an even longer beat then three long reaches to complete the lap. The wind started to play up with large wind shifts and varying speeds. Pete & Rach got their triple win followed by previous event winner and home sailor Grahame Newton in second and in third was Richard Sims in his K1 from Burton SC.

The final race 5 meant a change of position and length due to direction and strength, and a basic triangle course. Duncan again showed his speed and held a good lead throughout to win, followed by home crew Nigel & Di Pepperdine in their RS200.

Overall event winners were Pete & Rach Gray on 6 points, Martin Honnor on 15 points with Richard Sims also on 15, then close behind Nigel & Di Pepperdine on 16.

A big thank you to everyone who joined us and to our on and off the water teams.

And... don't forget next weekend (17th/ 18th Feb) is the - Burton Blizzard at Burton Sailing Club Burton Sailing Club. Check out the NOR and SIs at www.burtonsailingclub.co.uk/index.php/open-meetings

... and then the fourth and final event in the 2024 East Midlands Mini Series is on 24th/25th February please go to www.ogstonsc.org/open-meetings.html for all the details.

Pete and Rachael Gray win The Staunton Blaster - photo © Alan Bennett

Overall Results:

The Staunton Blaster - photo © Alan Bennett