2022 Club Championships
Published 10:21 on 31 Oct 2022
Spinnaker's Club Championship, incorporating the RNLI Trophy, took place over the weekends of 23 & 30 October.
With a format of 4 races per day, and 4 to count, the weather gods conspired to throw a full range of weather at the fleet. Suitable for a championship.
On the 23rd, what was a thundery forecast turned out to be a glorious autumn day in the most part. Moderate South/ South Easterly conditions prevailed and the first two races saw Keith in the Laser Standard jostle with Tom Clay's Firefly for the top spots. Keith got free in Race 1 with favour returned in race 2 with Tom managing the gap to give him victory. Credit to Jasmine in Race 1 for a skilled 3rd. In the afternoon, and Amanda with 3 4s. With the thunder clouds popping over the horizon, Ed Rogers, Solo, challenged Keith in Race 3, and secured a victory for Race 4. By Race 4 a dying wind in front of the incoming storm tested light wind boat trim and smooth boat cornering. So all set for the 30th.
The 30th arrived with a blast, occasional white caps and rainbows. The fleet were met by a building 15 knot breeze, with gusts over 25 kts. Race officer Paull Gray set a windward beat followed by a nerve-wracking dead run to a turn, a screaming broad reach then further beats. In Race 5 and 6 the high wind dexterity of Ian Matthews Solo, Aero 7 Jon Burns and Lasers Andy and Gareth were in evidence as they kept dry. In the PY race Ian victoried. In the Pursuit Gareth tore through the fleet and eventually overtook Andy who wisely chose to Radial it for the day. By race 7 numbers were down as boat and body repair became the order of the day. Jon Burns slid the Aero 7 round the track with Keith now more appropriately canvassed in the Radial in hot and close pursuit. In race 8 further fleet reductions. Jasmine's superb sailing in the 4.7 gave a well earned race 8 win, over Jon and Keith. Super crew Justin in Chris's RS200 took a few dips as they executed broad gybing downwind lanes.
Over the regatta Keith takes the Day 1 RNLI Trophy, and is proclaimed Club Champion with net 6, ahead of Jon net 8 and Rear Commodore Tom net 8. It could not be closer. Jasmine's great results line gives her 1st junior and 4th overall. Amanda takes the 5th.. Second Junior prize to Ava in the Topper.
Thanks to all race crew and in particular Chris and Phil to undertook safety cover on both days. Great support from the Club's Neil too. And Amanda who provided necessary and reassuring safety on Day 2.
Photo Credits Paul Gray. Full results under Sailwave tab.
Last updated 15:50 on 12 January 2025
