Windward Leeward Event at Grimwith Sailing Centre
by Clive Harries 26 May 2003 22:29 BST
18 May 2003
A great turnout of 38 boats at this year’s first Grimwith Windward-Leeward Event was met with a gusty SW wind. This steadied as it moved to the west but became windier and offered a challenge to everyone.
The fleet was divided into sixteen RS200s and a larger handicap fleet who all enjoyed close competitive racing
Two sets of two back-to-back races took their toll in the conditions and only four hardy RS 200s finished the last race. Keith Escritt and Ann Saul won the event from Richard Watkinson and Tom Kiddle second and the young team of Ben and Natasha Lister third. Natasha wondered what all the fuss was about as capsize mayhem surrounded them. Youth, huh!
In the handicap fleet only two boats finished the last race, Howard Stephenson’s RS600 and a Vortex sailed by the eventual winner and local sailor Clive Harries. Neil Ferguson was second in a Contender. Leading the asymmetrics was Mike Saul and Sophie Hartley in their RS800 closely followed by Richard and Heather Nocton in their RS400 impressively sailed in the conditions.
Despite the windward-leeward format, it had to be said the conditions did not suit the asymmetric boats. An experimental Vortex fitted with an asymmetric had one spectacular wipeout leaving those without one feeling smug as they sat on their transoms. Congrats to everyone who ventured out and special thanks to Phil who as OOD coped admirably with the number of capsized boats.
Thanks for coming everyone and look forward to seeing you all again on the 8th June at the Grimwith Grapple.