Bala Open
By admin. Filed in Race reports |
TNT post north – FLYING FIFTEEN TRAVELLERS SERIES – HEAT 2
Having commenced the Travellers Series programme with a very successful open meeting at Northampton Sailing Club in May, Heat 2 took place at Bala Sailing Club over the weekend of 15th and 16th August. With travelling contingents from Draycote, Burton Llangorse and an excellent turnout of six boats from Dovestone the visitors were treated to a stiff force 5 breeze straight down the lake gusting force 6 on the Saturday. The race officer prudently postponed for an hour as the forecast was for the wind to abate, however, as this did not happen, competitors launched for three back-to-back races in testing and exhilarating conditions. Those that dared had an exciting and exhausting time, those that didn’t were probably prudent.
The Saturday evening entertainment included a presentation by Tim Hall, World Championship winning crew in Spain and second in this year’s Worlds at Melbourne, providing an insight into his campaigns with a few tips and a chance to share his holiday snaps.
Sunday dawned with brighter conditions and lighter wind and two further races were completed.
The Traveller Series winners at Bala were :
1st Chris Swallow and Matt Pallett Burton
2nd Richard Hope and Scott Smith Draycote
3rd Paul McCarthy and Gary Butler Burton
1st Silver Colin Pierce and Mandy Thackray Dovestone
1st Classic J Craddock and P Kendall Llangorse
The full results for the event are at http://www.balasc.org.uk/ResultsReports/Results09/FlyingFifteen09.htm There is also a good set of pictures from the event at http://www.balasc.org.uk/Gallery/FFOpen09/index.htm .
After only two events in this Travellers Series all is still to play for, however, the winners for the last two years, Richard Hope and Scott Smith from Draycote are now re-establishing themselves in pole position, chased by Chris Swallow and Matt Pallett from Burton and Graham Massey and Russ Clark from Dovestone. Colin Pierce and Mandy Thackray are currently tied with Andy Clark and Nadia from Datchet for the Silver section and we also have a tie in the Classic at this time between first timers J Craddock and P Kendall from Llangorse and Tim Tomlinson and M Greer from Middle Nene.
So far there have been 24 qualified competitors for this Traveller Series and this is bound to increase at the next event at Burton Sailing Club near Derby on the 12th and 13th September.