Six Metre Midlands Series R2 All the skippers arrived bright and early to be greated by a southerly breeze from across the dam, less than had been forecast but still enough to go sailing, The boats were weight checked in sailing condition and all found to be correct, the brief, briefing was held and then it was straight to the water. Four races were held in the light tricky wind conditions with some big shifts alongside some very light patches. the course being a shortish triangle and sausage with an extended final leg to make the most of the beat.
The wind shifted slightly around to the west and after race four a short break was taken whilst the course was altered to suit the new wind direction and lengthened which produced some better racing. Apart from the occasional race where various minor issues affected him, Peter Shepherd and the Romanza (66) Monica was the most consistant, coping with the early light conditions alongside the strenghtening wind later on.
It was so close amongst all the other skippers in the fleet, only three points separating all five of them, talk about close racing! Colin Davies Rococo (99) will be surprised to find himself in second place as he was anounced last at the event however a copy error on the sheet meant he lost five points and jumps up to second with 39 pts, third was Mike Kemp, Renaisance (65), who recently returned to Six Metre sailing and his positions in the event gradually improved throughout the day as the wind strength improved and he gets used to this style of sailing again, he finished just one point behind Colin. Peter Jackson, Romanza (30), came fourth again one point behind Mike and one in front of our two back markers, Keith Bell, Tias (34), if you can call them that on a day where everything was so close.
A most enjoyable days sailing, in a pleasant atmosphere with skippers who respected the rules and the other skippers around them.
This competition was the second round in the Midlands Six Metre Trophy Series, the result over the two events one held at Two Islands and the other at Hollowell can be seen below.