Post by colin on Jul 19, 2010 11:43:27 GMT
British Moth Open, Hunts SC, 18th July 2010
Competitors for the Sommerville Travellers Series - a little worse for wear from the previous days meeting at Cam SC - were confronted with another day of testing conditions. The wind direction allowed for two beats and a good mix of off wind legs that presented plenty of high speed planing.
The first race cast the pattern for the day, with an early unchallenged lead by Colin Hall flying the Hunts flag. Behind an interesting, all woman battle was underway between Elaine Gillingham (Hunts), Elaine Laverty (M.Y.W.C) – who retired after crashing out at a gybe mark – and Abby Freeley (S.E.S.C.A). Freely held off Gillingham to take the second spot and Gary Tompkins (also from S.E.S.C.A) could do no better that 4th after recovering from a poor start.
The second race was dominated from the start by Hall. However, as in the first race, Freeley, Gillingham and Laverty provided the real entertainment of the day. Laverty having sorted out her gybing technique looked to have the second place covered in the early stages, but Freeley and Gillingham thought otherwise. At the last mark it was anyone’s guess as to the finishing order. Gillingham saw the best angle to the finish line and tacked onto starboard to a comfortable second with Laverty holding Freeley off for a third.
The final race of the day saw a general rebellion by the women (it had been a hard and long weekend) who sat out, letting Tompkins have his best result of the day following Hall home for second spot.
Results:
1. C. Hall (Hunts SC)
2. E. Gillingham (Hunts SC)
3. A. Freeley (St Edmundsbury Sailing and Canoeing Association)
4. G.Tompkins (St Edmundsbury Sailing and Canoeing Association)
5. E. Laverty (Mid-Warwickshire Yacht Club)
Competitors for the Sommerville Travellers Series - a little worse for wear from the previous days meeting at Cam SC - were confronted with another day of testing conditions. The wind direction allowed for two beats and a good mix of off wind legs that presented plenty of high speed planing.
The first race cast the pattern for the day, with an early unchallenged lead by Colin Hall flying the Hunts flag. Behind an interesting, all woman battle was underway between Elaine Gillingham (Hunts), Elaine Laverty (M.Y.W.C) – who retired after crashing out at a gybe mark – and Abby Freeley (S.E.S.C.A). Freely held off Gillingham to take the second spot and Gary Tompkins (also from S.E.S.C.A) could do no better that 4th after recovering from a poor start.
The second race was dominated from the start by Hall. However, as in the first race, Freeley, Gillingham and Laverty provided the real entertainment of the day. Laverty having sorted out her gybing technique looked to have the second place covered in the early stages, but Freeley and Gillingham thought otherwise. At the last mark it was anyone’s guess as to the finishing order. Gillingham saw the best angle to the finish line and tacked onto starboard to a comfortable second with Laverty holding Freeley off for a third.
The final race of the day saw a general rebellion by the women (it had been a hard and long weekend) who sat out, letting Tompkins have his best result of the day following Hall home for second spot.
Results:
1. C. Hall (Hunts SC)
2. E. Gillingham (Hunts SC)
3. A. Freeley (St Edmundsbury Sailing and Canoeing Association)
4. G.Tompkins (St Edmundsbury Sailing and Canoeing Association)
5. E. Laverty (Mid-Warwickshire Yacht Club)
