August Regatta 2001

The Bala August Regatta, sponsored by Mailspeed Marine, was held over the Bank Holiday weekend and saw a good turn-out of boats of a wide variety of classes, including RS's, Fireballs, Lasers, Toppers, Merlin Rockets etc. There were fast and slow handicap fleets of roughly 23 boats each and the Race Officers set very challenging courses over the seven races.

The first day, Saturday, did not look very promising as the lake was mirror-like in the morning. However, by the start of the first race at 1 pm, the wind was blowing all of a force 2 from the south-west and it more or less held for the afternoon, allowing the three races scheduled to be run. The very light conditions favoured the non-trapezing boats and the good roll-tackers in the fast handicap fleet which was dominated by Steve and Bernie Bales in their RS 400, Hugh Chardon, although Mandy Edwards and Andy Homer in a Fireball achieved two seconds and a third. Dave and Kate Eccles in their RS 200 and Cath and Gwil James in their RS 400 also had some good results - a third and fourth and a third respectively.

The slow handicap fleet was dominated throughout the weekend by the Larks of Peter Cook and Janet Exelby and Chris and Ann Biglin. The other places were contested by single-handed sailors, namely David Summerville in a Laser and Roger Finbow in a Streaker, who would have preferred stronger winds.

On Sunday the wind had changed direction and was coming from the north, although it was still no stronger than a force 2. The fast handicap fleet saw close tactical racing and tacking duels within the classes. The RS boats did not have it all their own way with John Beare and Francesca Webb in a Merlin Rocket winning race 4 and Miles James and Vicki Tarbett winning the race 5. The 2 afternoon races saw a much stronger wind from the same direction. The RS 200 took the 6^th race, with the Albacore of Simon Lewis and Susan McGeoch in second place and the Scorpion of John and Ann Whitfield in third.

In race 7 the Fireball of Mandy and Andy screamed away at the start and there was no catching them. Alan and Tom Williams in a Flying 15 took second place and Dave and Kate Eccles came in third.

The light airs on the Sunday morning were also testing for the slow handicap fleet and patience and tactical skill won through. A Lark won each race but in the stronger winds of the afternoon David Summerville achieved a second place in the last race of the day. There were several juniors in the slow handicap fleet and Hannah Blore from Gresford sailed consistently well in a Laser Radial to win the junior prize. Her sister Rachel, sailing her first open in a Topper, was given a prize for her determination and perseverance.

On Bank Holiday Monday, there was a separate competition consisting of three handicap races, again in two, but slightly depleted, fleets for those who preferred sailing to sitting in the sun. The winds were again light and fluky and tested the skills of the competitors.

Results

Fast Handicap
1st. Steve and Bernie Bales, RS 400, RAFSA
2nd. Mandy Edwards and Andy Homer, Fireball.
3rd. Dave and Kate Eccles, RS 200, Bala
4th. Gwil and Cath James, RS 400, Bala
5th. Simon Lewis and Susan McGeogh, Albacore, Bala

Slow Handicap
1st. Peter Cook and Janet Exelby, Lark, Bristol Corinthian
2nd. Chris and Ann Biglin, Lark, Shustoke
3rd. David Summerville, Laser, Jebel Ali
4th. Roger Finbow, Streaker, Pennine
5th. Dan Hastings, OK, Bala

First Junior
Hannah Blore, Laser Radial, Gresford

Results Monday Handicap
Fast Handicap
1st. Chris and Ann Biglin, Lark, Shustoke
2nd. Alan and Tom Williams, Flying 15, Bala
3nd. Steve and Bernie Bales, RS 400, RAFSA

Slow Handicap
1st. David Summerville, Laser, Jebel Ali
2nd. Steve Gentily, Streaker, Pennine
3rd. Nick Blore, Laser, Gresford

First Junior
Ben Biglin, Topper, Shustoke