Sun and wind were all part of the recipe for an exciting weekend’s sailing at Barton, though there was a tad too much wind for some, especially on Saturday with gusts up to 30 Knots and only marginally easier on Sunday.

Fifteen boats arrived at the pontoons for the briefing and the SSW direction made life easy for the OOD, setting a long beat to the Neatishead mark from the club rafts. All boats reefed and were shy of the line, which was not surprising under the conditions. Naturally with a long beat comes a long run to get back up the broad which gave rise to some challenging gybes. Sadly, the conditions made their mark and both Stellar helmed by Tim Frary and Amaryllis helmed by Chris Tuckett sustained damage in the first race reducing the fleet further as some, possibly wiser, helms decided to watch from the side lines and others retired while they were still intact!

Eight boats completed the first race and seven, the second race. The high winds definitely favoured the slower fleet which gradually gained on the faster boats which had started five minutes earlier. Both fleets kept very close together despite taking different lines.

It was all to play for in the last race between Richard Smith in Alchemy and Mark Elson in Sprite, but Mark held onto his lead with three points and a fourth, discard, over Richards five points with a third, discard.

Paul Howes in Melinda dominated the fast fleet chased closely by Anthony Landamore in Matilda, only two points behind.

 

Results:

Achievement Trophy:                       1 Melinda                  P. Howes

2 Matilda                   A. Landamore

3 Breeze                     C. Chettleburgh

Barton Broad Challenge Cup:        1 Sprite                      M. Elson

2 Alchemy                  R. Smith

3 Wanderer               T. Barker

White Horse Trophy                        1 Sprite

(Overall winner)                   2 Alchemy

3 Wanderer