A wild finale to the 2013 GJW Tipsy Icicle
There was no shortage of wind for the final weekend of the GJW Direct Insurance (GJW) sponsored Tipsy Icicle Winter Series but due to the strong wind there was a shortage of competitors as many voted to stay ashore and watch the fun and games unfold. As the sailors arrived they were greeted by a very cold easterly Force 5 wind gusting 6 with a very high wind chill factor. The first race went ahead on time but with a greatly reduced number of boats on the water in all fleets. During lunch the wind picked up to a steady Force 6 with gusts so a collective decision was taken to abandon racing for the day. The seven boat Asymmetric fleet sailed a windward/leeward course and at the start it was Paul & Mike Allen (RS400/LLSC) who went for the pin but had to duck behind the transom of Chris Pickles/Matt Sharman (RS400/Delph SC). After a long beat it was Pickles/Sharman who rounded first with the Allens and Exley/Hall (RS400/LLSC) close behind. Pickles/Sharman were then flattened by a gust and Exley/Hall’s boom snapped which put paid to their race and chances. The Allens then sailed a faultless race to win the race and the series. Second in the race was the RS Feva of Grahame and Izzi Bristow (RS Feva/LLSC) who, like the Allens, were the only other boat to get around without capsizing. Pickles/Sharman recovered to finish third and Bill Kenyon/Ben Ditchburn (RS400/Budworth SC) fourth while the remaining boats retired. This meant that the race for overall honours in the Asymmetric Fleet had been a one race, four boat shootout between the RS400s of Paul & Mike Allen, Chris Pickles/Matt Sharman and Dave Exley/Nigel Hall and the RS200 of Louise Mckeand/Cathy Partington (RS200/LLSC).In the Laser Fleet just four boats signed on but none finished. As a result the overall positions were unaffected so the series winner was Andy Stott (LLSC), Graham Macwhirter (UKLA) was second and Jack Hopkins (Delph SC) third. In the Handicap Fleet start six boats, which included 3 from the Junior Fleet and 1 from the Solo Fleet, took to the start line. Of the two handicap boats, Richard Catchpole (RS300/LLSC) and Sally Bristow (Topper/LLSC) both failed to finish. This left the top of the table the same as last week so the series winners were Christian Day/Sophie Richards (N12/LLSC). Second was Andy Flitcroft (RS300/Burwain SC) and third overall was Mark/Sam Platt (GP14/Bolton SC).In the Solo Fleet the only brave soul to go afloat was Steve Ferrington (West Kirby SC) who started but retired after capsizing. Again the overall positions were unchanged with Paul Heath (LLSC) winning the series, Steve White (LLSC) second and Ferrington third. In the Junior Fleet there was only one finisher and that was Jack Staniland (Topper/Redesmere SC) who managed to blast around while the others retired. With none of the top half dozen sailors present due to squad training the top of the table was unchanged and the series winner was Hayden Griffiths (Topper/LLSC) followed by Tom Wallwork (Topper/Redsmere SC) and third was Oliver Blackburn (Topper/LLSC).In total a record 169 boats took to the water during this 10 week, 20 race series. Thankfully the Flash did not suffer from ice but the Club did miss one weekend due to no wind and the last race of the series due to too much wind. The club and its members would like to express its thanks to the dedicated PROs Peter & Judith Baldwin whose expertise was invaluable in the smooth running of the series, to all those members who assisted in the running of the event and of course to Anne and Helen for keeping everybody fed and watered.Lastly the club would like to say a big ’Thank You’ to all the visitors for supporting the event and to our series sponsor GJW Direct Insurance who offer one of the most comprehensive boat insurance policies on the market, at a very competitive price. For a quote in under 30 seconds, visit, http://www.gjwdirect.co.uk/dinghyThe racing continues next weekend, 16th/17th March, as Leigh & Lowton SC hosts the RS400 Winter Championships as well as a two day RS200 Open Meeting which is part of the Mike Saul sponsored series. Racing starts at midday on the Saturday and further details can be found on the club website or http://leighandlowton.wordpress.com/2013/02/20/rs200-open-and-rs400-winter-championships-1617-march-nor-and-more-info/