May 25-31, Mayflower SC, Plymouth
The fleet was made very welcome and the sun shone for registration and safety checks prior to Sunday’s practice race.
For the first points race on Monday in a Force 4 wind, the course was laid at sea. Hedley Fletcher took an early lead closely followed by Andy Turner and D Carroll. Positions changed off wind with Giles Hudson and Nick Craig moving into third and fourth positions. The last beat produced a major wind shift which moved Carroll up to third, only to be beaten on the line by Craig. Fletcher won, with Turner second.
Two races were held on the Tuesday in a force 2-3. The first race of the day, race 2, saw Carroll take the lead, maintaining it until the last beat when he was overtaken by Fletcher. Carroll managed to snatch back the lead on the line. Third place went to Terry Curtis. An early lead was taken by Fletcher in the third points race. Craig was second followed by Carroll, and Alistair Deaves sailed well to finish fourth.
Light winds and a heavy swell prevailed for race 4. The start proved to be the key to this race and positions were virtually unchanged throughout. Fletcher won, D Carroll second and K Carroll third. Andy Turner sailed a perfect last leg to finish fourth.
The fifth race on the Thursday was sailed inside the breakwater due to poor visibility. The Royal Navy did its best to take part in the race, causing chaos amongst the fleet. Greg Casey, sailing his best race, capsized in the lee of a frigate. Fletcher sailed his championship with another win, Curtis finished second and D Carroll third, giving him an unbeatable second overall for the week.
Three people were on equal points for third overall at the start of the sixth race, K Carroll, Curtis and Craig. The wind was force 6-7 and racing was again held inside the breakwater. The two Carrolls and Fletcher, amongst others, took the righthand side of the course but the wind and tide left them all out of touch. Andy Turner sailed to the left corner, reaching the windward mark some 150 yards in the lead. Keith Byers found his form, only to capsize approaching the finish line but he recovered to finish third behind Curtis. Craig was fourth, K Carroll fifth.
Overall a good week of racing hosted superbly by Mayflower SC.
| Pl. | Sailno | Name | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2073 | H Fletcher | Burwain SC |
| 2 | 2065 | D Carroll | Felixstowe Ferry SC |
| 3 | 2074 | T Curtis | Upper Thames SC |
| 4 | 2042 | N Craig | Frensham Pond SC |
| 5 | 2054 | K Carroll | Felixstowe Ferry SC |
| 6 | 2059 | A Turner | Waldringfield SC |
Best lady : M Reddyhoff
Best junior : A Dumbleton
Best veteran : K Carroll
Team Trophy : Waldringfield SC
Best newcomer : N Goodhead
Perseverance Award : W Croome