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The forecast for Queen Mary was promising only 8 knots or so, but we were very fortunate in that the wind exceeded all expectations and we enjoyed a cracking day’s racing, albeit with a spot of drizzle now and then. The turnout could have been better in that only 18 sailors made it to the start line, but the lack of numbers was more than compensated for by the quality! Our youngsters in the shape of Conor Wells and Andrew Robinson were out to try something different, Conor on an RS:X and Andrew on an F2 Raceboard. Chris Gibson was also trying something different, this was the first competitive outing in a LWA event of the new Fanatic Raceboard (the recently reported Mistral Equipe 111 has succombed to a bit of “badge engineering”). Chris reckoned it was brilliant upwind and it certainly looks the business.
In Race one Russ Canning shot into an early lead on his new Phantom, first round the windward mark and then holding on for the whole of lap one. However he was eventually hauled in and a mistimed tack or two and he finished back in 5th. Alan Jackson enjoyed his most successful day for years, taking first place ahead of Nick Kidd and Andy Lacy.
The wind was shifting as is typical at Queen Mary and this meant getting the beat exactly right or you were doomed. Jacko continued his winning ways in Race Two, succeeding holding off a flying Paul Leone and Chris Gibson in third.
The wind seemed to abate over lunch but just as Race Three started it kicked in at about 12 knots and produced a very exciting race with lots of back strap reaching. Chris Gibson got his act together for this one and took first place ahead of Mr Jackson, with Andy Lacy again in third. The last race produced a win for Paul Leone, with Jacko second and Nick Kidd third.
Alan Jackson was delighted with his overall win -two 1st places and two 2nds - using his old Mega Cat and RS:X sail, just going to prove the old saying that it’s not what you’ve got, it’s what you do with it that matters. The top of the results sheet was rather crowded, Paul, Chris and Nick in 2nd 3rd and 4th being separated by only one point each. Andrew Robinson, having fun on his dad’s old F2 Raceboard, scored his best result of the day in 11th and Conor on his RS:X also took advantage of the stronger winds to achieve his best result of the day in 14th. Andrew ended the day in 13th overall, just one pace and 5 points behind his father - watch out, Paul!
Steve Sugden braved it out on his Formula board and it was good to see Mark Holder back on the water on his IMCO, but there was not quite enough wind for these two to show their skills to full advantage.
Andy Watkinson took a load of great photos of the event
- go to this URL to see them all! - Thanks Andy!
RESULTS: (Overall positions in brackets)
Raceboard 9.5: 1: Alan Jackson (1); 2: Paul Leone: (2); 3: Chris Gibson (3)
Unlimited: 1: Nick Kidd (4); 2:Paul Robinson (12)
8.5 Open: 1: Andrew Robinson (13)
RS:X: 1: Conor Wells (15)
Raceboard 7.5: 1: Mark Holder (14)
Formula: 1: Steve Sugden (18)
1st Vet outside prizes: Andy Lacy (5)
1st Lady: Janet Pain (17)
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