LLSC crowns its new Club Champions

November 7, 2020

3 days before the start of Lockdown 2, Leigh & Lowton were able to conclude their 2020 Trophy Days and anoint their Club Champions (virtually of course!). The Trophy Days had first been postponed due to Lockdown 1 and then the format changed to 4 weekends in September and October, 2 races with no discards for each one, with 5 races to count towards the Club Champion trophy.

It proved to be a lively series with a nail-biting final weekend for the Club Champion decider. With 4 different winners of the individual Trophy Days in various classes and the eventual Club Champions not winning an individual event it was a hard-fought series, with consistency through the series being the key.

The RS400s took line honours in the first two trophy events

Richard Catchpole & Gary Coop (RS400) won a breezy first encounter for the Rosebowl Trophy, in a tie-break with Louise McKeand & Nigel Hall (Wayfarer). Next up was the Taylor Trophy where an RS400 once again took the honours, this time with Dave and Caroline Exley in pole position and Louise and Nigel in hot pursuit. The Henderson Trophy was held in extremely light conditions and this time to single-handers dominated – Steve Blackburn (Streaker) and Martin Spencer (Devoti D-one). The final day in a shifty gusty Southerly was clinched by Matt Sharman (Solo) against Steve once again, on countback.

The single-handers of Steve Blackburn and Matt Sharman going well in the 2nd two trophy events

Overall in the series, Louise McKeand and Nigel Hall came out on top in their Wayfarer after winning the last race of the series, counting all top 2 positions in the end to become Club Champions for the first time. Steve Blackburn was a close second in his Streaker two points behind, while Martin Spencer’s consistency over the series gave him 3^rd spot. Solo Club Champion was Malcolm Waddington and Junior Club Champion was Ben Welfare (Optimist).

No one could match the consistency of Nigel and Louise in their Wayfarer – well deserved Club Champions!!

What a great end to a crazy year on and off the water! We will be back on the water for our winter series as soon as regulations allow – still no showers and changing facilities I’m sure, so keep your dry-suit handy!

All photos by Gerard van den Hoek

Club Champion:

1^st Louise McKeand and Nigel Hall (Wayfarer)

2^nd Steve Blackburn (Streaker)

3^rd Martin Spencer (D-one)

Solo Champion:

1^st Malcolm Waddington

Junior Champion:

1^st Ben Welfare

Full results:

https://llsc.org.uk/LLSC/Results/index.htm?v=347

Yachts and yachting: