Crewsaver Tipsy Icicle Week 10 – Only 1 race possible on penultimate day
On Sunday 9th March 70 boats took to the water for the penultimate weekend, and what was scheduled to be races 19 & 20, of the ‘Crewsaver’ sponsored Tipsy Icicle series at Leigh & Lowton sailing club.
With the forecast of light winds and bright sunshine proving accurate it was no surprise that the majority of the fleet opted for wetsuits as opposed to dry suits as the temperature hit the mid-teens. Although we had the warmth the light breeze, which started from the south but then came from every other point of the compass as the day went on, came and went throughout the day and made for a frustrating sailing for many if not all.
During the first race the average wind speed was 2.5 knots with a gust of 8 knots recorded.
In the 13 strong Laser fleet the top two helms in the series were absent so Graham McWhirter (UKLA) took advantage of this to take the win and pull himself up one place in the overall standings to third. After a four week break one time challenger Neil Skellam (LLSC) returned and posted a second while new to the series Tom Keegan (LLSC) took third and Alex Woods (LLSC) fourth.
Second fleet away was the 34 boat handicap fleet which included 14 Solos (the results of which are taken separately from the handicap finish) Such was the fickleness of the breeze that even before the back end of the Laser fleet, having started 3 minutes earlier, had reached the windward mark the lead boats in the handicap fleet were amongst them and, when the later starting Asymmetric fleet caught everybody up, there was often a large gathering of boats at every mark resulting in many a raised voice and the odd bump being heard.
The overall positions in the handicap fleet tell you all you need to know about the conditions as the Enterprises of Mark Lunn/Steve Blackburn (LLSC) and Alan Johnson/Paula Fisher (SCYC/SSSC) took the top two places. Series leader Andy Flitcroft (Bolton SC – Supernova) took third and looked back to see his two nearest rivals Richard Catchpole and Peter Machin in their RS300’s well down the fleet so leaving him well clear in the series with better discards if needed. Fourth home Gareth Williams (LLSC – Europe) .
In the Solo fleet it was Andy Tunnicliffe (Royal Windermere SC) who took an early lead with Paul Heath (LLSC) close behind. These two pulled away from the other Solos and swopped the lead but in the end Tunnicliffe fell into a hole and was swallowed up by the chasing fleet. Andy then decided that watching rugby would be preferable to sailing so retired. Heath drifted away to take the win from Chris Robinson (BFYC) in second. New to the series Tony Sampson (SCYC) was third and Brian Sprague (LLSC) fourth.
In the 9 boat Asymmetric fleet it was series leader Paul/Judith Allen (LLSC – RS400) who took the bullet by a big distance to remain at the top of the leader board. Second across the line was Bill Kenyon/Andy Dawson (Budworth SC) but they had to settle for third overall as on corrected time they were beaten by the RS200 of Louise McKeand/Eyak Elkcit (LLSC) Fourth place went to Hamish Gledhill/Simon Dowse (West Riding SC)
In the 14 boat junior fleet it was the turn of the Optimists to dominate this week. Archie Leckie (LLSC), Drew Gibbons (LLSC) and Harvey Leigh (LLSC) took the top three positions while series leader Oliver Blackburn (LLSC – Topper) recorded a fourth which, such is his low point scoring, he is able to use as a discard.
During lunch the wind disappeared altogether and the OD decided to delay the start. A light breeze then filled in from the east before then swinging 180 degrees to the west resulting in the committee boat having to relocate and reset the start line and course.
All fleets were started and the wind then swung once again before disappearing this time for good. After 30 minutes, without a boat completing one lap and wind at strength at 0.5 knots the race was abandoned.
With several new entries to the series this weekend it means that the total number of boats we have had on the water to date ,and crossing the start line during the ‘Crewsaver’ Tipsy Icicle series, is 179.
Next weekend is the final weekend of the series. The long range forecast at this time shows a good Force 4 from the west so, whether you are in with a chance of a prize or just want to take sail in a big fleet as part of the largest club winter dinghy series in the country, come along and experience the ‘Crewsaver’ Tipsy Icicle series for yourself.
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