Results and Reports, 2009

Report: Dan Ager

It says something about an open meeting when even most of the local boats find something else to do instead of competing. Two boats turned up for the 2 day, 5 race event. Winds on Saturday were on the light side, the tide was high, the courses good. Fish won the races. With Fish being in London on Saturday night, he understandably didn't fancy the drive early Sunday morning for another match race so the results from Saturday stood.

Ardleigh SC Open Meeting
12th Sept

Report: Simon Cox

Ardleigh Sailing Club gave a warm, friendly welcome to a small contingent of OK’s on Saturday 12th September.

In the best winds of the day Dan Ager established a healthy lead at the first mark of race one followed by class newcomer, Simon Cox and Dave Cooper. Dan went on to win the race from Simon. Andy Turner took third place.

Having now figured out how to sail the boat Simon got the shifts right in Race 2 to have a good lead at the first mark from Dan, Andy and Peter Turner. Simon led the race for two laps until the wind shut off letting the experienced OK hands, Dan and Andy, close up. A final lap tussle between Dan and Andy resulted in Dan retiring from the race and Andy narrowly beating Simon across the line.

Going in to the final race any of the top three boats could win the event. In a strange twist the wind shut off exactly as the start gun went. The three event contenders were left stranded on the line as the rest of the fleet sailed away up the beat. Peter, followed closely by Richard Ham led for most of the race. Simon made steady progress through the fleet to eventually take the lead from Peter. With the wind becoming increasingly patchy Simon’s lead was short lived as Dan and Peter took advantage of the increased pressure on the run to close and pass Simon. Dan went on to take the win from Peter followed by Simon.

The event was enjoyed by all competitors. Congratulations to Dan for his first open meeting win in the class. The class would like to thank our hosts for their hospitality and great race management. more pics

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National Championships, Dabchicks SC
28th - 31st August

Report: Day One

The International OK National Championship at Dabchicks Sailing Club finally got underway today (Saturday). Strong winds put paid to the planned racing on Friday but the patience of the 35 competitors paid off as they were greeted this morning with champagne sailing conditions.

Defending champion Terry Curtis established an early lead easing round the first lap comfortably ahead of second placed Andy Crouch. Despite a final leg surge, Crouch, a two times Phantom national champion, could not stop Curtis from taking the first race in convincing style.

In growing breeze, Jon Fish built from his third place finish in race one to lead the fleet from the beginning to take the second race. The remaining places were more hotly contested with race one winner Curtis progressing through the fleet as the laps went on; he eventually took second place.

Curtis has the edge going into day two but with only a point between him and Fish there is everything to sail for. A solid performance from local sailor Robert Deaves sees him lying in third having notched up two fourth place finishes.

Curtis commented "After a successful Worlds campaign I am feeling confident about the UK Nationals. I will be keeping an eye on Andy Crouch: with the breeze on he could be hard to beat."

The championship, kindly sponsored by Hyde Sails, continues tomorrow with conditions promising to be equally perfect.

Day Two

Class newcomers shake up the OK National Championship

As predicted, the second day of the International OK National Championship was an exciting one, with several sailors usually seen in different classes successfully demonstrating their skills in an OK.

Two-time Phantom national champion Andy Crouch made the most of the breezy conditions to notch up firsts in both of today's races and take the series lead. Overnight leader and defending national champion Terry Curtis could only manage a seventh place in the first race of the day but recovered his form to take second in this afternoon's race - leaving him lying second overall. Jon Fish enjoyed another consistent day coming home second this morning and fourth this afternoon to leave him in third place going into the final day.

Local laser sailor and Olympic hopeful Martin Evans seemed to be getting to grips with the OK; the championship marks his debut in the class. Evans recovered from a disappointing OCS in the first race of the day to storm home third in the aptly named 'Shooting Star' in this afternoon's race. He is sitting in a respectable seventh place in the series overall.

Tomorrow is the final day of the championship, hosted by Dabchicks Sailing Club, West Mersea, and with a single point separating Crouch and Curtis the championship is still wide open.

Day Three

Final day of National Championship is more than OK

On the third and final day of the International OK National Championship the racing was the closest yet. In the first race of the day the race leader changed several times during the first lap before Terry Curtis, who was placed second after two days racing, finally distanced himself from the rest of the fleet on the downwind leg, rounding the leeward mark slightly ahead of Jon Fish.

Curtis increased his lead as the race continued whilst behind him positions changed constantly. Class novice Martin Evans enjoyed his best race of the series so far coming home an impressive second ahead of Alex Scoles. The OK Association, who are keen to attract younger sailors to the class, persuaded Olympic hopeful Evans to try out an OK for the first time at the Nationals and it seems that Evans had little difficulty transferring his skills to the OK.

After two general recalls the race officer was forced to resort to the black flag in order to get the final race of the series underway. Fortunately the threat of the black flag ensured the competitors were on their best behaviour and after a clean start yet more tightly fought racing continued. Overnight leader Andy Crouch, who came home a disappointing fifth in the first race of the day, was in the leading bunch at the windward mark behind early leader Robert Deaves. With gusts nudging twenty knots Crouch broke through to win, coming home just ahead of Curtis in second and Fish in third.

Nevertheless Curtis' consistent results throughout the championship meant that he was able to retain his title. Crouch, more at home in a Phantom, finished a highly credible second place, with Fish three points adrift in third. Local boy Evans placed fifth.

Race officer Peter Fitt of Dabchicks Sailing Club, West Mersea, praised all the competitors' efforts, 'after a slightly delayed start the OKs produced some fantastic racing in tough conditions. It was particularly exciting thanks to the appearance of sailors who are new to the class, several of whom provided some unexpected surprises.'

Reports by Rebecca Jackson

more pics (on this site)
Even more pics at championmarinephotography.co.uk

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Hunstanton SC Open Meeting
15th & 16th August

Report: Keith Byers (as told to Sue Byers)
more pics

This event was scheduled for 6 races over the two days of 15/16 August. Competitors were met on Saturday with wind gusting into a force 6 and large waves coming from various directions making the conditions extremely challenging. Conditions that would prove too much for the RS700 fleet who didn’t manage a start. Race 1 - saw current national champion Terry Curtis 1st round the windward mark and promptly (and uncharacteristically) capsize. Edwards and Fish rounded second together with Edwards forgetting to duck as he tacked resulting in a swim. The main pack of the fleet hurtled towards the jibe mark, close inshore, with trepidation, the first few stalwarts including Jon Fish and Keith Byers successfully jibed but never have so many OKs been capsized round one mark - keeping safety boat crew entertained. During this race the run proved to be very testing with many experienced sailors being caught out by the gusty conditions and large waves. Jon Fish finished in first, closely followed by Keith Byers and Dan Ager third.

Race 2 - continued the days sailing in equally challenging conditions. Fish capsized as the gun went leaving him well back, with Curtis once again rounding the windward mark in first place, hotly pursued by Scoles, Edwards and Byers. Curtis retained his position finishing in first place, Edwards closely behind, capsized on the run letting Byers through into second place with Scoles in third.

Race 3 - won once again by Curtis, with Fish in second place and Gavin Waldron in third. This completed sailing for day 1 - all competitors having the opportunity to swim at least part of the course during the day. Once ashore the fleet took the opportunity to repair damaged gear and unfortunately, for Tony Wood, to pack up due to a broken mast.

Race 4 - racing resumed on Sunday in more moderate conditions, started in a pleasant wind force 3 - 4, with Curtis once again dominating the race from the start. Scoles showing good speed was followed by Edwards and Byers. These placings held until the finish.

Race 5 - saw a duel between Curtis and Scoles for the windward mark and subsequent reaches. Racing continued to be closely contested with big wind shifts a feature catching many sailors out. Final positions were Curtis, Scoles, Waldron and Byers.

Race 6 - racing was much closer due to decreasing wind conditions. Curtis rounded first, followed by Byers, Scoles and Edwards. On the first reach Scoles overtook Byers, and on the subsequent run Edwards slithered through to third. These results held to the finish.

Overall event positions after discards - Terry Curtis 1st, Alex Scoles 2nd, Keith Byers 3rd, Mike Edwards 4th.

Overy Staithe SC Open Meeting
27 & 28th June

More pics

Report:

OK Sailors visiting Overy woke up to sea fog and no wind on Saturday morning which made getting to the start area against a 3 knot incoming spring tide quite tricky. At the start gun for race 1 Will Turner showed excellent roll tacking skills to build a lead, chased by Alex Scoles in his new Icebreaker, Robert Deaves and Pete Turner. Will pulled away on the reaches whilst the rest of the fleet bunched up as Neil Goodhead and Terry Curtis pulled up from poor starts.

Only one lap was sailed, won by Will Turner with Robert Deaves second and Alex Scoles third.

Race 2 - Robert Deaves was over the line at the start, but Alex Scoles and Will Turner made the best starts. Will Turner, Alex Scoles and Terry Curtis all went left up the beat which definitely didn't pay, whilst the boats on the right side, led by Neil Goodhead first round the windward mark, with Robert Deaves second and Peter Turner third made handsome gains. These positions were held until the final run when Pete Turner pulled through to second, relegating Robert Deaves to third and with Neil Goodhead first. So all to play for on day 2.

Sunday again dawned with sea mist and no wind. After a long delay the boats launched in a force 0.5. Paul Pike rounded the windward mark first with Neil Goodhead second and Robert Deaves third. Andy Turner pulled through to second on the run whilst Alex Scoles was beached on the marsh with his fixed rudder jammed in the mud. Neil Goodhead did well tactically on the last short beat to regain first, with Robert finishing second and Andy third.

Race 4 - Robert Deaves rounded the windward mark first to establish a good lead. Steve Leigh and Steve Whitby, two newcomers to OKs, got their act together and rounded well up the fleet. Neil Goodhead closed on Robert on the downwind legs and Andy Turner pulled through to establish third. On the finishing line Neil just pipped Robert to record his third race win.

Thus Neil Goodhead re-claimed the coveted trophy from last year's winner Robert Deaves. Alex Scoles was third overall and Andy Turner fourth.

Upper Thames SC Open Meeting
20th-21st June

Report:

14 OK dinghy sailors competed in the annual event at Upper Thames SC. Racing got underway on Saturday in 5-10 knots of breeze from the west, enabling race officer Nigel Garland to start the fleet from the club line with a long beat upstream adding a dogleg in the course to mix things up. The first race was lead from the start by Terry Curtis, followed by Alan Atkin and Julian Burnham. Curtis extended his lead through the race to win comfortably from Burnham with Simon Davis pulling through from an average start to finish 3rd with Atkin dropping to 4th.

Burnham hit the front first in race 2 building up a good lead on the first lap. Curtis started to reel him in, but couldn't get close enough to challenge the lead leaving Burnham to take the bullet & lead overnight, once again Simon Davis finished 3rd.

The evening festivities lasted well into the early hours, Sundays 10.30 start time arrived all too soon for some. Simon Davis took the first race from the gun extending his lead to finish way out in front Curtis, Burnham & Alan Atkin battled it out for second, with Curtis coming out on top from Burnham & Atkin.

Davis clearly had the bit between his teeth leading the fleet off the line to take his second bullet of the day, leaving the same 3 fighting it out for second. The Wind dropped, then shifted southerly filling in from behind on the run, turning the fleet inside out. Curtis held on to second with Roy Burnham overhauling his son to take 3rd.

Going into the last race it was wide open with Curtis, Julian Burnham & Davis all within a point. Davis once again lead the fleet off the line & rounded first closely followed by Burnham with Curtis some way back. Curtis clawed his way back into contention finally overhauling Davis to take the lead on the third beat. Curtis took the gun & the Yeatman bowl for the event from Davis & Burnham who finished up on equal points - Davis winning on the countback.

Jackie Howden presentated a new Trophy - The Windfall Cup for the first race of the event in the memory of her Late Husband Jim who had been a stalwart of the class at Upper Thames for some 30 years. Jim won the first race in the 2008 event in spite of suffering with ill health, but sadly passed away later in the year after losing his fight with cancer. He will not be forgotten at Upper Thames or in the OK class.

Burton SC Open Meeting
14th June

Report:

A good turnout of 19 OK sailors gathered for the annual trip to Burton Sailing Club including many of the junior sailors that had sailed in the classes Youth Championships the day before.

The fleet took to the water in an erratic light breeze with the Race officer given no other choice but to wait for the conditions to settle down.

The fleet got away at the second time of asking, and it was Richard Burton (surely the most improved sailor in the fleet this season) that popped out in front. Burton held a good lead around the windward mark with Gavin Waldron, Nick Craig, Mike Edwards, and Tony Woods all fighting to join him. It was Craig that broke away from this group to join Burton in the lead, leaving Edwards, and Woods swapping 3rd and 4th positions with every shift. It took some time but with a reasonable gap behind him Craig could sail aggressively on Burtons shadow downwind and ground down the youngster to lead. These positions held to the finish with Edwards getting the best of Woods on the penultimate beat.

The fleet returned to the shore, and were shown a master class in pit stop technique, with Craig met by his chosen boat builder and sail maker, Alex Scoles and James Hunt. The new boat went through various modifications including a new mast being fitted, and various sail settings being altered. In a brave attempt not to look inferior the rest of the fleet sponged out their boats and had a cup of tea!

For the second race start the pin end looked favoured with Andy Turner looking good as he worked the left hand side of the course. Unfortunately for him, lay line approaches had to be left as late as possible with fresh breeze coming in from the middle of the course leaving Craig and Woods fighting for the lead. Neil Goodhead picked up a nice gust and caught the leaders up on the first run. At the Leeward mark Craig and Woods held on slightly to avoid the dirty wind of the miracle fleet. This left Goodhead a lane below to work his way through. Once ahead he picked every shift going and sailed brilliantly to gain a substantial lead to the finish with Craig second and Woods third.

The last race was started in a dyeing breeze, with the quandary of a heavily biased line at the pin end but with more breeze to the right. Craig led Woods around the windward mark to be met with a large shift which meant another beat to the wing mark. It eventually returned to a run with Goodhead and Edwards catching the leaders with more pressure from behind. On the next beat Edwards got the better of Goodhead to take third, and these positions remained until the finish. At the prize giving Nick Craig gave one of his better speeches with thanks to the Race Officer in particular who had experienced a trying day in difficult conditions.

Youth & Junior Championship, Burton SC
13th June

Report:

Following the success of last year's resurrected OK Youth & Junior Championships the class worked hard again encouraging young sailors to take part and finding boats for those that did not own one. Eleven entrants turned up at Burton SC on a very sunny and warm Saturday, with many relieved at the prospect of light winds.

Race 1 - Got away cleanly with Richard Burton from West Oxford SC rounding the windward mark first, just ahead of Tom Lonsdale of WOSC and Last years champion Will Croxford of South Staffs SC. By the start of the second beat Will had hit the front from Chris White from SSSC and Richard. Richard’s brother Jonathon managed to capsize at the start of the beat after following advice from the rest of the WOSC boys to keep his kicker on up wind!! On the run of the Olympic course Sam Blocksidge from SSSC showing blistering off wind speed hit the front. Sam and Will then pulled out a gap on the rest and once again off wind Sam pulled away from Will. At the finish Sam led them home with a comfortable win from Will, Tom and Richard.

Race 2 - Richard again reached the windward mark first, from Chris and Eleanor Davies from SSSC. Up the second beat Tom moved into third ahead of Eleanor. On the second triangle Richard sailing very well pulled out a large gap on the fleet, which he held to take the win. Tom came in second followed by Will and Eleanor finishing strongly in fourth.

Race 3 - The final race started first time with it all to play for! Will showed his intentions rounding first just from Sam, Chris and Adrian Walker from SSSC. On the reach the wind died resulting in places changing by the second. At the top of the next beat it was Chris who held a slender lead from Adrian, with Richard coming through to third. Chris then showed the rest a clean pair of heels and pulled away. Behind and Richard, Will, Tom and Sam who could all take the title were locked in a terrific battle. At the final leeward mark Chris held a commanding lead, with Richard rounding in second from Will, Tom and Sam, but all were very close. With only a short beat to the finish Richard surely had it in the bag. But no! Will took second, with Richard j ust being piped on the line by Tom to loose the third place he needed for the title. So after all that it was Will Croxford from South Staffs SC that retained his title by the slimmest of margins, with Richard Burton second and Tom Lonsdale third overall respectively. A mention must go to Eleanor Davies from South Staffs who at 15 years of age came a very credible sixth.

So following the prize giving the more senior and "responsible" OK sailors got the Barbie going which was followed by a tug of war against the Miracle fleet who were sharing the event. Things then deteriorated for those old enough to drink and no one seemingly escaped the squirty cream and those who nodded off were used as a creative outlet with a permanent marker pen. Sunday dawned bright and sunny with the fun continuing! Tents were moved still erect and collapsed with people still in them... oh the youth of today!

Thanks must go to Burton SC for hosting a great event.

Felpham SC Open Meeting
16/17th May

Report: Deryck Lovegrove

Special thanks must go to those who made the event and some travelled very long distances to do so.
Entries:
Keith Byers
Tony Woods
Simon Childs
Richard Burton
Deryck Lovegrove

That's it: a total of 5 boats. I felt totally embarrassed by such low numbers. I apologised to Felpham sailing club on behalf of the OK fleet for the very poor turnout: a disgrace to the class?? Fortunately Felpham are willing to have us back next year - I just hope we have the numbers.
I would just like to finish with a big thank you to Keith who took a day off work on Friday to travel all the way down to the south coast: it was good to see you, mate!

Deryck Lovegrove

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Spring Cup, KZ & RV Hollandia, Medemblik
30th Apr - 3rd May

Report: Neil Homer Goodhead

'Going Dutch with the Chuckle Brothers'

Brightlingsea SC Open Meeting
25th, 26th April

Report: Dan Ager

"It was worth the wait" was Nick Craig's comment after sailing the new Idol Composites OK. Alex Scoles spent many months thinking about the new hull shape to offer his customers. A slightly tweaked shape based on the "Icebreaker" hull with one or two carefully thought out innovations - such as a deck mounted mast foot adjuster, being the result.

The OK's returned to Brightlingsea after being away for too long, sharing the event with the Merlin Rockets. It was good to see that the friendly, relaxed attitude of the club was still in place and that they have the ability to supply fantastic conditions - sun, wind and a few waves to race in.

Two races were held on Saturday in a good force 3-4 and when the tide turned after the start of race one it kicked up a steep sea. Jon Fish led the first race to the windward mark and down the first reach. By the leeward mark Craig had taken the lead with Dan Ager close behind. On the second beat Terry Curtis motored through the fleet to round the windward mark close behind Craig. Craig, Curtis and Ager pulled away from the fleet finishing in that order a long way ahead of the next boats.

A bit more breeze for the second race again saw Curtis and Craig pull away, with Tony Rich, Ager and the Fish and Keith Byers fighting between themselves a bit further back. Fish let Ager through after "wobbling" at the start of the first run. Rich hanging on for third after pretending he was going to capsize at the gybe mark of the second triangle and again gybing down the final run. At the front, Craig had difficulties bearing away on to the run letting Curtis through into the lead which he held to the finish.

Sunday was forecast to be much lighter but in fact the breeze built throughout the day and by the final race was only slightly less windy than the previous day. Curtis carried on where he left off by winning the first race of the day on the water. He might have been a little more relaxed if he had known that Craig who finished behind him was OCS, as was Alex Scoles and John Ball meaning that Andy Turner was able to claim a very welcome second and Ager another third.

Keen Keith Byers wearing a pristine, brilliantly white sweatshirt from the 1990 European Championships gave Craig a race in the next race. So impressed was Nick with Mrs Byers laundry skills that he was seen negotiating to see if she could do a similar job with his smalls. Apparently she replied that getting oil, grease, paint and epoxy resin out of her husbands clothes was one thing but she is no miracle worker. Nick won with Byers getting second ahead of Curtis and Fish in fourth place.

The final and deciding race for the weekend had the benefit of a slackening tide. Craig had a narrow lead at the windward mark from Ager and Curtis. Curtis turned the power on upwind to move into second place where he stayed, Ager finishing third and Fish another fourth. This left Craig the overall winner by one point, in a five race series with one discard. Curtis was second, Ager third and Rich fourth.

This week sees those lucky enough not to have work, new puppy or pregnant wife issues going to Medemblik to enjoy one of the highlights of the year at the Spring Cup, for four days of racing run to the highest of standards.

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Waldringfield SC Easter Egg
11th & 12th April

Report:

Former world champion Nick Craig didn't have it all his own way in a rare visit to Waldringfield Sailing Club over the Easter weekend. The regatta was characterised by light winds, brilliant sunshine and local knowledge as several times, Craig lost the advantage to local sailors.

The opening race included a long beat from the club line against the tide and while Craig led the fleet along the island, Robert Deaves sailed straight to the opposite shore and popped out at the first mark some 300 metres ahead of Craig to take the race win. In the very short second race, Dan Ager found a shift out of the start to lead at the top mark and with a shortened course at the bottom of the course to make time for tea, there was little anyone could do about it. Ager also won the afternoon race after getting the very important inside overlap on the first downwind mark and leading the rest of the way to take a useful overnight lead.

Sunday morning dawned with a new wind direction and Craig finally getting his act together. A nice little course downstream of the club was set and Craig produced two race wins from Ager and Jon Fish in the light winds with long downwind legs against the flood tide.

The deciding race was between Ager and Craig for the Egg, and with the tide now ebbing made for some interesting tactical decisions upwind. However, once ahead of Ager, Craig stuck to him like glue and looked to be heading for this third win of the day. However, on the final beat Deaves sailed the other side of the island from the fleet and took a 200 metre lead, while Simon Shaw, sailed up the far shore to round the final upwind mark second. Craig finished a distant third with Ager fourth.

So with two race wins apiece between Craig, Ager and Deaves, Craig, sailing a borrowed boat, took the WSC Easter Egg Trophy he last won in 2001.

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Northern Challenge
28th & 29th March

Report: Keith Byers

A unique two venue event was hosted jointly by South Windermere (shifty, windy, freezing cold and glorious scenery) and Morecambe and Heysham Yacht Club (tidal, open sea conditions) over the weekend 28/29 March. An excellent turn out which included ex world champion Nick Craig and current national champion Terry Curtis were greeted on arrival in Windermere by 40 MPH winds gusting down the lake. Following a short delay imposed by the Race Officer, to allow conditions to moderate slightly, the race started in squally conditions with Curtis first to the windward mark followed by Craig and Keith Byers. In the extreme conditions these placings remained through to the finish with Tony Wood claiming 4th place. By the time Race 2 started the wind had decreased to a pleasant 3-4. Byers lead at the windward mark but was overhauled by Craig and Curtis respectively to finish 3rd with Woods once again claiming 4th. This concluded the racing at Windermere and the fleet packed up and moved to Morecambe Bay for Day 2.

The days 3 races took place back to back in a steady 3 - 4 with a strong tide and gentle surfing conditions. Race 3 provided a battle with Anthony Rich showing good speed and almost catching Craig at the finish with Curtis in 3rd place and Mike Edwards 4th. Byers took an early lead to the windward mark at the start of race 4 but was once again caught by Craig and Curtis with Mike Edwards claiming 4th. Now on a fast flowing ebbing tide Deryck Lovegrove rounded the windward mark in 2nd place but was soon caught by the pursuing pack with Craig and Curtis showing excellent off wind speed. Final positions for Race 5 repeating those for race 4. Northern Challenge overall results 1st Nick Craig , 2nd Terry Curtis, 3rd Keith Byers, 4th Mike Edwards.

More pics
Even more pics (on Picasaweb)

Silverwing SC Open Meeting
22nd March

Report: Alan Atkin

A total of 7 OK sailors attended th first Thames Valley meeting at Bluewing S. C. formerly known as British Airways. The wind was light and quite shifty all day.

In race one Richard Burton made the best start and led from Simon Davies sailing Terry Curtis's boat. These two gained a large lead when the rest parked in a no wind zone at the second mark. Richard held on to win convincingly from Simon with Chris Kirkman third.

The second race started with Richard and Alan Atkin on the wrong side of the start line. After restarting Alan led for the first lap from Simon until Richard sailed through both into the lead. Richard led to the finish and Alan failed to hold off Simon who took second near the finish line.

Race three followed a familier pattern with Richard again sailing his very old boat with a metal rig into a clear lead. Simon was getting the hang of the OK and was a comfortable second with Alan again third. Thanks to Bluewing for a well run and welcoming event. It deserves better support next year.

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Winter Championship, Oxford SC
21st Feb

More pics, even more pics by Nigel Vick

Report: Mike Edwards

What a glorious day!!

On Saturday the 21st February the re-scheduled International OK Dinghy Winter Championship took place at Oxford SC. The snow had forced the planned event to be postponed two weeks ago. What a contrast, with glorious sunshine and warm temperatures all day. Twenty four sailors managed to rearrange their diaries and make it to Farmoor reservoir, to be warmly greeted by club members and bacon rolls. The wind was not up to much when people started to arrive, but by the first start there was enough for everyone to sit on the side deck.

Race 1 – Got underway first time with Tony Woods, Mike Edwards and Nick Craig popping out ahead of the rest. However, the first beat proved extremely shifty and it was young Richard Burton who led at the windward mark, closely followed by Woods, Chris Murray, Nick Craig, Jon Fish, Neil Goodhead and Terry Curtis. This group managed to pull away from the rest and places changed a lot in the shifty conditions. Eventually Craig hit the front, but had to fight hard to stay there and at the finish Craig took the bullet just from Woods relishing the light wind in second. Goodhead pulled through for third from Fish and Burton.

Race 2 – After being fully catered for by the galley staff and with a little more wind, everyone seemed very keen to begin race 2, with a general the inevitable outcome. The black flag went up and claimed one casualty in newcomer to the fleet Simon Davis. At the port end Fish, Keith Dutton and Edwards made perfect starts. Craig managed to fall out of his boat at the top of the beat which allowed Dutton to reach the windward mark first followed by Curtis and Dan Ager. Again, the racing was tight throughout the fleet and picking the shifts was all important. Rounding the final mark and Curtis had gained command which he held to the finish from Ager and the recovering Craig. Dutton came in fourth and Alex Scoles finding some form in fifth place.

Race 3 – So, as they lined up for the final race the title was still up for grabs. The wind had increased a little more and it was Curtis who rounded first from Edwards, Dutton and Craig. Craig then moved ahead of Dutton downwind. The front three pulled out a little gap and on the run Edwards took the lead. The front three swapped places up the tricky beat and as they started the last leg to the finish Curtis had a slim advantage over the other two. Approaching the finish and Curtis and Edwards were neck and neck, with Curtis just taking the gun from Edwards and Craig third. Dutton held a comfortable fourth from Goodhead who had pulled through after being down the pan initially.

So, it was Terry Curtis who walked away with the title of Winter Champion, with Nick Craig having to settle for second and Mike Edwards in third.

Thanks must go to the team at Oxford for rescheduling the event so quickly and for their organization and hospitality.

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