Burton Open
By admin. Filed in Race reports |
TNT POST NORTH FLYING FIFTEEN TRAVELLERS SERIES
Round 3 Burton Sailing Club – 12th and 13th September – Nine boats including four from Dovestone Sailing Club joined the strong local fleet at Burton Sailing Club to take part in the third heat of this five event Series. The glorious weather, possibly the last of the summer, greeted the competitors on Saturday, however, disappointingly there was no wind. After a delay of 2½ hours a zephyr filled in and it was possible to hold two races in fluky and testing conditions.
Burton, as usual, were excellent and welcoming hosts putting on a high quality three course meal in the evening at the Club House followed by a bar triathlon event.
Sunday dawned colder and overcast but with a reasonable wind that gradually built during the day. It was therefore possible to complete three races and the Series as planned. Old Olympic style courses were set for each race and the growing wind produced some exciting racing. The racing proved competitive throughout the fleet. The winners of the Open meeting were David McKee and Chris Hewkin from Dovestone scoring four bullets. Second, and also from Dovestone, were Andy Goddard and Mal Hartland who prior to the start of the first Sunday race was seen to dive under the boat apparently to remove the rudder bag forgotten in a hasty launch. Third place went to Richard Hope and Scott Smith from Draycote, winners of the Travellers Series for the last two years. Leading Silver boat was Scott Train and Graham Lamond and first Classic, Ian and Gavin Shaw..
After the first three heats therefore the jockeying for overall supremacy of the Traveller Series is hotting up. The first two boats of Chris Swallow and Matt Pallett of Burton Sailing Club and Richard Hope and Scott Smith of Draycote are tied on four points each. In the Silver Division the team of, Scott Train/Graham Lamond and Colin Pierce/Mandy Thackray are separated by only one point. At this stage Pete Needham and Brian West look to have the classic section under control. There are however still two events at Notts County on the 26th and 27th September and the final event and prize giving for the Series at Dovestone on the 3rd and 4th October. The overall positions can radically change and it looks as though the Series will go to the final event for resolution.
David McKee