Whit Regatta 2001

The Bala Whit Regatta , sponsored by Mailspeed Marine, took place on Saturday and Sunday 26^th and 27^th May. It was characterised by the welcome return of past visitors from the Moth, Javelin, Graduate, RS400, Laser and Blaze fleets, as well as the extensive participation of Bala boats.

An ideal force 3 to 4 southwesterly wind, blowing straight down the lake, greeted the visitors on the Saturday and enabled the race officers to set varied, interesting and challenging courses for each fleet. There were separate starts (and courses) for the Moth, Javelin, Blaze, fast and slow handicap fleets. The skies were cloudy but the rain stayed away and the competitors enjoyed 3 races over 4 ½ hours.

On Sunday the south west wind freshened to a force 5 to 6 and all those who ventured onto the water revelled in the conditions, giving some spectacular exhibitions of skill and entertainment for the spectators. There were also several mini-competitions among the different classes of the fast handicap fleet eg. Lasers, Flying 15s, RS200s and RS400s and Merlin Rockets.

On Monday there was a separate competition of two races for fast and slow handicap fleets to round off the holiday weekend. The wind direction and strength remained the same as for Sunday for the first race. The second race started uneventfully after an early lunch but then the wind speed increased again and all hell was let loose. Few boats escaped a capsize and only 9 finished in the slow and fast handicap fleets put together.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable weekend both from a sailing and a social point of view.

Results

Moths
1st I Forsdike, Grafam
2nd N Oswald, Essex
3rd M Bridgewater, Bartley

Javelins

1st B Earl & D Earl, Chichester
2nd R Smith & E Dyson, Glossop
3rd B Dixon & K Partington, Glossop

Blaze Open Meeting
1st D Evans, Calshot
2nd P Hargreaves, Burwain
3rd M Davidson, Bala

Fast Handicap
1st S Bales & I Campbell, RS400, RAFSA
2nd B Glen, Phantom, Haversham
3rd A Hodgson, Laser, Bala
4 th P Allen, Laser, Crosby
5th E Corteen, Laser Vortex, Pennine

Slow Handicap
1st S Powell, Laser Radial, Hayling Island
2nd J Haywood, Laser Radila, Gresford
3rd I Hawood, Laser Radial, Gresford

Whit Monday SlowHandicap
1st D Wilson & S Wilson, Graduate, Maidenhead
2nd S Powell, Laser Radial, Hayiing Island
3rd N Blore, Mirror, Gresford