2011 Winter Series

2011 Winter Series: Race Report Race 8 (Dec 4 2011)

Written by Mike Beggs Monday, 05 December 2011 14:40

Sunday Winter Dinghy Race No 8 – 4^th December 2011

The final race of the Lymington Town Sailing Club Autumn Series took place on 4th December.

A light westerly wind promised good sailing and an excellent turn-out of 27 dinghies crossed the start line.

The fast fleet got away cleanly into a 14 knot breeze, tacking out into the last of the flood tide to buoy 'Plus'.

First to return was Pete Barton in his foiling Moth showing that flying is quicker and soon catching the back-markers in his own fleet.

In the medium fleet start Julie Willis pushed the line so far as to be recalled, but both Miles Mence in his Blaze and Kinna and Watts in their Wayfarer came back.

This allowed Ian Sanderson in his Blaze a clear run to the first mark, but he was slowly overhauled by Mence.

As Pete Barton completed the allocated 4 laps before anyone else had completed 3 the Race Officer Mike Beggs shortened course to avoid a long beat into the increasing flood tide.

On the last down-wind Mence got within 10 yards of Sanderson but on the last short beat Sanderson covered to gain the win by just 7 seconds.

When the handicaps were calculated Barton was triumphant, just deserts for exceeding 30 knots last week to come in 4th. In the Medium Fleet Blazes took the first 3 places with Sanderson and Mence followed by Stewart Watson.

In the series, the overall winners in the Fast Fleet were Luke and Emma McEwen in their RS800 with Pete Barton second and the 29er of Geoff Havers and Kate Smethurst third.

In the medium fleet Mike Beggs and Vicki Leen kept the lead with Tim Knight's Laser second and Richard Russell's RS100 third.

 Photo: Close finish : Ian Sanderson heads Miles Mence by 7 seconds after an hour's racing.

Race 8  Results:

Fast Fleet

1^st Peter Barton                                                                 International Moth

2^nd Luke & Emma McEwen                                               RS 800

3^rd Declan Clamp & Gary Stones                                        B14

 Medium Fleet

1^st Ian Sanderson                                                               Blaze

2^nd Myles Mence                                                                Blaze

3^rd Stewart Watson                                                             Blaze

Series Results:

Fast Fleet

1^st Luke & Emma McEwen                                                  RS 800

2^nd Peter Barton                                                                 International Moth

3^rd Geoff Havers, Kate Smethurst /  Jo Barriball                     29er

 Medium Fleet

1^st Mike Beggs & Vicki Leen                                                Laser Stratos

2^nd Tim Knight                                                                     Laser

3^rd Richard Russell                                                              RS 100

2011 Winter Series: Race Report Race 7 (Nov 20 2011)

Written by Barry Sticklen Sunday, 20 November 2011 00:00

The decision was made at 0930 to start at the normal time of 1030 but this week from the river line. The Race Officer took advantage of the dredging in the vicinity of Fortuna dock to set a windward start, up river to ‘M’ (Moveable) which was laid off Fortuna’s normal position. The course would then take the Medium fleet out to Black & Orange & Walbank before returning home. The Fast fleet in addition, would also have to go to East Mark, Walbank & East Mark again before they could return. Two laps were originally set but the race was later shortened.

 There were nine starters in the Fast fleet and three in the Medium fleet. The start was held up though for approx 5 minutes, waiting for the ferry to set sail. Two of the fast fleet dinghies were over the line at the start but quickly returned.  Peter Barton in his International Moth led the way down the river, with two of the boats loosing it by the wave barrier, there were also several other capsizes, mostly with quick recoveries. There were support safety RIBs standing by though.

In the Fast fleet although Peter Barton in his Moth took line honours with Luke & Emma McEwen in their RS 800 second & Richard Lilley in his RS 600 third. Peter Would be relegated to fourth place behind Luke & Emma 1^st followed by David Gautier in his Contender 2^nd & Richard Lilley third when the handicaps were applied.

In the Medium Fleet Stewart Watson in his Blaze was first over the finish line with Mike Beggs & Vicki Leen second. When the handicaps were applied this time though the positions would reverse. Richard Russell in his RS 100 took a little while to recover from an earlier capsize to take third position.

The wind remained gusty but as the sea was fairly flat due to wind with tide conditions this week. This provided Peter Barton in his Moth ideal conditions to clock a massive 30.5 knots on GPS from Walbank to East mark, could this be a UK record we must ask.

Results

Fast Fleet

1^st Luke & Emma McEwen            RS 800

2^nd David Gautier                           Contender

3^rd Richard Lilley                            RS 600

Medium Fleet

1^st Mike Beggs & Vicki Leen          Laser Stratos

2^nd Stewart Watson                        Blaze

3^rd Richard Russell                         RS 100

2011 Winter Series: Race Report Race 6 (Nov 13 2011)

Written by Barry Sticklen Sunday, 13 November 2011 00:00

Sunday Winter Dinghy Race No 6 –13^th November 2011

Race 6 was sailed on an overcast chilly Sunday morning, on November 13^th. The wind was coming from the East at 18 knots gusting 23. The strong spring tide was flooding for most of the morning so it was wind over a lot of tide.

Richard Russell would be the Race Officer this morning assisted by William Dear. Ten fast fleet boats had signed on as had 13 medium fleet boats. The course was set of Yacht Haven, West, Walbank, Baverstock, Yacht Haven,

Picture: Mike & June Baker

West Inner, finish, all marks to starboard. The fast fleet would be set 3 laps & the medium fleet 2 laps. Both fleets would eventually be shortened though with the fast fleet finishing on two laps & Medium one lap.

 The first leg would see quite a few capsizes and there seemed to be a delay in both fleets hoisting spinnakers, not surprising really, considering the conditions. Nigel Walbank in his Musto Skiff went on to take line honours in the fast fleet from Geoff Havers & Kate Smethurst in their 29er. They would be followed by Mike & June Baker in their Laser 4000 with David Gautier in his Contender being last of the finishers. The remaining fast fleet boats either did not finish did not start or turned back from the Lymington River entrance.

When the elapsed times were corrected David would climb to the top of the leader board relegating Nigel to Second. Tim would keep third though.

The Medium fleet faired little better overall but Myles Mence in his Blaze was again Blazing away, miles ahead. Mike Beggs & Vicki Leen in their Laser Stratos would take 2^nd some 6 minutes behind with Tim Knight Laser taking 3^rd over the water. Only six of the medium fleet finished the shortened course, with the remainder again being scored as did not start or did not finish. When the race elapsed times were corrected this time, Picture: David Gautier                                   the finishing order remained the same.

Fast Fleet

1^st David Gautier                                          Contender

2^nd Nigel Walbank                                        Musto Skiff

3^rd Geoff Havers & Kate Smethurst                29er

Medium Fleet

1^st Myles Mence                                          Blaze

2^nd Mike Beggs & Vicki Leen                        Laser Stratos

3^rd Tim Knight                                              Laser

2011 Winter Series: Race Report Race 5 (Nov 062011)

Written by Barry Sticklen Sunday, 06 November 2011 00:00

Sunday Winter Dinghy Race No 5 –06^th November 2011

Race 5 was sailed on Sunday 6^th November. The wind was colder this week feeling like it had come straight from Siberia. The start platform was registering 15knots gusting 22 from the North North East. The tide was ebbing and with a range of 1.3 mtrs the water would remain reasonably flat.

Mike Beggs was the Race officer this week assisted by Nick Fagan, fourteen boats had signed up, seven fast and seven medium fleet boats.

In the fast fleet, Peter Barton in his International Moth was soon up on his foils again flying. Luke & Emma McEwen after hitting the outer distance mark in their RS 800 and taking a penalty were chasing hard, as were Richard & Fiona Mayo in their twin trapeze 29er. These three boats would be the only ones to complete the three laps with the remainder following on, on two. By the end of the third lap, although second over the water Luke & Emma had done enough to take the handicap win from Peter Barton second & Richard & Fiona third.

The Medium fleet were off 5 minutes later without major incident, with Peter Conway & Ginny Harvey, this week in a Tasar, leading the fleet home. The Laser of Tim Knight would be next over the water with Richard Russell in his RS 100 third. When the handicaps were applied this time though, Peter & Ginny would only keep the win from Tim by 3 seconds on corrected time. Richard Russell was relegated to sixth place, allowing Jack Collins in his Laser 4.7 into third and the two Wayfarers of Mike Kinna & A Watts and John Sims & Tony Christopher into fourth & fifth place respectively.

 Fast Fleet

1^st Luke & Emma McEwen                          RS 800

2^nd Peter Barton                                         Int Moth

3^rd Richard & Fiona Mayo                           29er xx

Medium Fleet

1^st Peter Conway & Ginny Harvey                Tasar

2^nd Tim Knight                                            Laser

3^rd Jack Collings                                         Laser 4.7