Easter Regatta & RS400 Open 2008

What difficult weather conditions to run a regatta! No sailing was possible on Saturday due the wind speed being off the scale of the anemometer. That said the RS400 of Dave Jones & Roger O’Gorman tested the water and their blast, togther with Sunday's action can be seen by clicking the video and photo links at the bottom of this page, or via the main Gallery page.

On Sunday the wind moderated considerably and although the north easterly as usual provided fluky and gusty conditions, four races were run. The Race Control team successfully turned the races round quickly by implementing a 3-2-1-go starting sequence. Thus competitors did not have to wait long for a start in the bitterly cold conditions.

Thanks to Paul and Michael Allen for nominating Bala as a venue for their RS400 Northern Circuit. Nine RS400s competed and this class provided very close racing at the front of the fleet, with Sam Parker and Elaine Marsh, Richard March and Joe Martigan, Dave Jones and Roger Gorman exchanging positions. Paul and Michael Allen who in most races were at times caught near the windward mark where the wind strength was less severe, read the gusts downwind to perfection and gained huge advantages on the leeward legs. Once their lead was established, they were able to cover the fleet upwind in the later stages of the races.

Thirteen conventional dinghies raced in the main handicap event. We welcomed back regular visitors including two Flying Dutchmen. The races were dominated by the Scorpion of Richard and Ed Barnes who won two of their four races. The Merlin Rocket of Paul and Michelle Keating challenged strongly in the afternoon and gained second place overall. Despite a few dips, Ken Hull in his Blaze sailed well to remain in contention to get first place in the last race and third overall.

The Asymmetric fleet racing was close at the front of the fleet with Wil and Wendy Hitchman, and Martin and Liam Parker gaining the same points score, but the Hitchmans won on count back.

Results

RS400 Northern Circuit
1st Paul and Michael Allen, Leigh and Lowton
2nd Dave Jones and Roger O'Gorman, Clwb y Felinheli
3rd Richard Marsh and Joe Martigan, Elton

Handicap Fleet
1st Richard Jones and Ed Barnes, Scorpion, Shotwick
2nd Paul and Michelle Keeling, Merlin Rocket, Blithfield
3rd Ken Hull, Blaze, Bala

Asymmetric Fleet
1st Wil and Wendy Hitchman, Laser 2000, Bala
2nd Martin and Liam Parker, RS200, Crosby
3rd Mike Raine and Jane Hill, B14, North Staffs

Regatta	RS400 #1	RS400 #1