Abington Park MYC
Six Metre Open
@
Hollowell Sailing Club
27th February 2016
REPORT BY PETER SHEPHERD
PICTURES BY KEITH BELL
PICTURES BY KEITH BELL
A good stiff Northeasterly wind blew across the picturesque vista of Hollowell Reservoir, seven skippers assembled in good time for racing to start promptly at 9.am. Keith Bell volunteered to be Race Officer and was a considerable help in setting up with Peter Jackson and me directing operations from the shore.
Dave Green was in fine form winning fifteen of the sixteen races, the rest of us followed in his wake, occasionally getting close but not really close enough to make a challenge. For couple of skippers it was their fist time out with their sixes, Colin Davies was sailing his newly acquired one, although technical issues beset him with a gooseneck problem, PJ had a rudder issue and wasn't happy with his sail set up. Peter Shepherd lost his side stays after Race 11 but didn't realise until he took Monica off the water at the end of the session.
The "babe magnet" that is Tim Leese also came along to lend support and help, for some reason every time I turn around he is chatting with the ladies.
The "babe magnet" that is Tim Leese also came along to lend support and help, for some reason every time I turn around he is chatting with the ladies.
With the course being set away and towards the skippers, the distance judgement is essential and a number of those in the fleet wished they had "gone to specsavers", the distance problem wasn't helped by the club trying out our new buoy markers which are considerably bigger than our previous versions, but that is enough of the excuses there were some good races throughout the fleet and Dave was challanged enough to make it worthwhile him coming.
Richard Dolman stuck with it with his borrowed wooden hulled Rococco even though he was finding it a bit of a challenge and after some considerable set up help he started to put some better races together.
Richard Dolman stuck with it with his borrowed wooden hulled Rococco even though he was finding it a bit of a challenge and after some considerable set up help he started to put some better races together.
The working party from Hollowell SC appreciated the entertainment we were providing, and the welcoming reception from them and the hot soup and bread in the club house afterwards was very much appreciated by the Model Yachtsmen.
Congratulations to Dave Green, many thanks to Keith Bell, hopefully you all went away happy even though you are just finding out where you finished.
Congratulations to Dave Green, many thanks to Keith Bell, hopefully you all went away happy even though you are just finding out where you finished.