Red Square Lark Open at Shropshire Sailing Club
by Dougal Scott 3 Apr 2003 08:50 BST
29th March 2003
Photo © Lark Class
 |
The Red Square Lark open circuit got off to a sunny start at Shropshire SC on Saturday 29th March. Twenty-four Larks arrived to enjoy the perfect conditions and five to ten knot breeze.
In the first race Martin Gillam/Matt Griffiths led a big
pack arriving at the top mark together. They held their lead
to the second mark, with Dougal Scott/Ruth Johnson climbing
up to second by going low on the reach to avoid the shadow
of some trees. Scott/Johnson got away on the next beat to
take the lead which they kept through to the end. Richard
Dowsett/Jane Alexander climbed through the fleet to take
second, with Gillam/Griffiths third.
The second race was sailed on the same course. This time,
Dowsett/ Alexander got away to a good lead, accompanied by
Richard/Jenny Bennett. Scott/Johnson slowly climbed their
way through the fleet, eventually taking the lead on
the third lap. By the final mark, they were half a leg
ahead. However, a big hole and poor covering allowed
Dowsett/Alexander right back into the race, with the gun
going to Scott/Johnson by only a split second. The Bennetts
took third.
In the final race, Simon Cox/Kate Simpson in their new boat
led at the first mark and down the first run. However, the
course had changed and they had misunderstood it, meaning
they lost the lead. Scott/Johnson, who had been in second,
came through to first and lead to the end, giving them the
meeting without dropping a race. Dowsett/Alexander again
pulled through to take second, with John Billin
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 2347 | Dougal Scott | Ruth Johnson | Rock/South Staffs | 2 |
| 2nd | 2331 | Richard Dowsett | Jane Alexander | | 4 |
| 3rd | 2405 | John Billington | Sue Mellor | | 7 |
| 4th | 2265 | Matt Martin Gillam | Matt Griffiths | | 8 |
| 5th | 2413 | Steve Cumley | Rachel Jones | | 10 |