Lymington Town team mostly fails to triumph again

Written by Giles Chipperfield Friday, 08 July 2011 20:47

LTSC's Dave Gorringe and Giles Chipperfield travelled some 4,000 miles between them to compete at the inaugural RS100 Italian Eurocup at Lake Como, but only managed to come away with second place in their respective classes( 8.4, 10.2). Heather Chipperfield accompanied them and comprehensively won the sun-lounger class, proving that we should all stick to our strengths.

Dave actually travelled rather more than the normal distance, since he forgot to take both driving licence and insurance, was refused a car hire and had to find his own way on public transport. After only two laps of the Milan circular metro line he found himself in a comfortable hotel near the regatta site and ready for action. Unfortunately, it was on the wrong side of the lake, but that only took a short ferry journey to correct.

Three days racing followed in picture-perfect conditions of 12-knot winds, glorious sunshine and spectacular scenery. Giles entertained the whole fleet on day 1 by breaking a toe-strap on the first start, dropping the tiller at the second and tying everything in a knot at the leeward mark in the third. Dave helpfully wished him a Happy Birthday as he passed by, establishing a hostage to fortune richly ransomed the next day.

On Day 2 Giles showed a new turn of speed, but unfortunately towards the wrong buoy. Dave showed really great form and almost made it look as though he might win, if only he resisted the splendid vino rosso provided by the Club for the competitors dinner in the evening. What a shame. But his rendition of Tom Jones' Delilah at the local Karaoke bar gathered a huge crowd, including the local police wondering whjch musical crime to arrest him for. Heather made timely top contribution with Bohemian Rhapsody, and the police departed safely.

So to Day 3. Dave did win the last race, even after getting his own Happy Birthday moment hooking up on the pin end buoy of the start line while actually reversing over it after the first tack went wrong. Bizarrely, he headed off to the opposite side of the course and then rounded first, pretending it was all deliberate. Gold stars for performance and for bluff. Giles meanwhile explored new and distant areas of the Lake shore in a highly-competitive match race finish which ultimately turned out to have no bearing on the results at all.

Dave finished off in continuing style by having his prize wine confiscated at airport security. Giles and Heather will, as usual, be travelling back slowly via the vineyards. All in all a great trip to a fantastic place. See you all soon.