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Great Britain, World Qualifier - Largs

MHYC

22 - 23 May 2010

by By Keith & Sue Byers

The first of the 2011 World qualifiers took place over the weekend of the 22/23 May at Largs Sailing Club. The forecast was for light winds and glorious sun.

A highly competitive fleet took to the water for the first race after a short postponement to allow the breeze to fill in.

Day 1
Race 1 – immediately after the start the fleet split into two distinctive groups with the inshore sailors taking advantage, hot out of the blocks was class secretary Andy Turner closely chased down by Mike Edwards. The light winds and shifty conditions proved testing with places changing on every beat. Approaching the windward mark Edwards finally got the better of Turner right on the line to claim 1st place, Turner taking second and Keith Byers just piping Tony Rich to take 3rd.

Race 2 – the race started in similar conditions Turner making no mistakes and covering the rest of the following fleet closely successfully maintained his lead until the finish, followed by Edwards and Tony Rich 3rd with Neil Goodhead in 4th.

Race 3 – The final race of the day, once again Turner and Edwards lead from the off, with Daz Prior this time fighting through to take 3rd place narrowly piping Byers who finished 4th.

Day 2
Race 4 – the day started with very light winds resulting in a postponement. Once racing started the fleet again split into 2 groups with the off shore group gaining advantage of the light conditions. Andy Holmes rounding the windward mark first, followed by Byers and Turner. In a steadily decreasing breeze the wind swung round with Byers taking full advantage to finish 1st, Tony Rich pulling through to 2nd with Turner 3rd and Mike Edwards 4th.

Race 5 - proved to be the windiest of the entire weekend, Conditions were extremely shifty with the windward mark being placed towards Great Cumbrae. With excellent speed Neil Goodhead rounded first and pulled away on a gust to create a cushion from the pursuing fleet. Remaining positions were closely contested and changed hands throughout the race with Goodhead maintaining a long lead to finish 1st, Turner 2nd, Tony Wood 3rd and Edwards 4th.

Overall positions for the weekend:
  1. Andy Turner (Overy Staithe SC)
  2. Mike Edwards (South Staffs SC)
  3. Keith Byers (Morecambe & Heysham YC)
  4. Neil Goodhead (South Staff SC)