Revett Week 4 – Shifty and squally

Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club’s Open Revett Winter Series week 4 continued with interesting conditions on Sunday 4th December 2011.  In total 50 boats ventured out in a shifty and squally west south westerly force 2-4.  PROs Kate Tickle and Sally Haslewood set reaching courses for the Lasers, Solos & Handicap Fleet and full windward leeward laps for the Asymmetric Fleet.In the Asymmetric fleet it was again Dave Exley & Nigel Hall and Hamish Gledhill & Simon Howse in their RS400s who led from the front. Alex Morrison in the RS100 showed the fleet the way round in race 2.  Louise Mckeand, RS200, was never far off the pace.

After another competitive day’s racing it’s still tight at the top of the Laser fleet with only 4 points separating the top three. Dave Shiel, Paul Heath and now Graham Macwirter all have a chance of winning going into the final races next weekend.  Howard Green and Stuart Bellfield were also both in the running in race 2.

The handicap fleet was again the largest of the day with 14 starters.  In the main the day was dominated by the RS300s of Mike Allen, Paul Allen and Richard Catchpole.  Steve Hunt & Ruth Critchley in the Merlin Rocket and Gareth Williams & Jen Turner in the National 12 also showed good pace.  The Solo fleet was back up to full attendance this week with 10 boats on the water.  Chris Gillard showed the fleet a clean pair of heels in both races.  Malcolm Waddington and Steve White followed Chris in.

The stage is set for next weekend and the conclusion of another brilliant winter series.  The overall results in all fleets are all very close and it will be exciting right to the end of the series.  Final week 5 is on Sunday 11th December 2011 and it is only £5pp per day and £4 for juniors for the premier winter series in North West. The galley is serving hot meals throughout the day and visitors and spectators are invited to watch the fun from the new lounge extension.

Full results are available on the club website.

Next week concludes the sailing at the Club for this year.  There is the annual dinner dance this coming Saturday 10th December and then there’s a kid’s Christmas party on Saturday 17th December and then a return to the water on Sunday 1st January 2012.