Optimum Time Watches Southern Travellers Series race report from Wimbleball
Two travelling phantoms were warmly greeted by the two home sailors on a chilly morning at the picturesque Wimbleball sailing club and got the boats set up before an excellent breakfast from the galley.
Race officer Tony Paine gave a humorous and relaxed briefing expaining the traffic light starting system and course. The wind ranged from 10 -16 mph and was very gusty. With no recalls and Simon Hawkes taking a clear lead that he extended to the finish. Paul Birbeck back in a borrowed boat, Steve Popple and Ivan Walsh tussled with places being swapped and finished with Steve 2nd Paul 3rd and Ivan 4th.
The hard working galley volunteers provided a delicious choice of lunches and birthday boy Steve treated us all to the shepherds pie. Refuelled for the afternoon race 2 was another clean start with Simon taking the lead and again place swapping only this time Paul getting the better of Steve for 2nd and Ivan a close 4 again.
Final race 3 another fine start and a familiar flying Simon being chased hard with Steve capsizing and Ivan hailing 'you didn't want to do that' as he sailed by in pursuit of Paul. Having caught Paul, Ivan fully hiked was caught by a wind shift and tipped it in to windward. Paul showing genuine concern for his visitor hailed 'are you all right' as he and smiley Steve sailed past. Steve took 2nd Paul 3rd and Ivan 4th and Simon kindly waited on the slipway to catch us in the on shore breeze. Well done on a convincing overall win to Simon Hawkes.
During prize giving Simon awarded Ivan swimming lessons !!!
We would like to thank Wimbleball volunteer members on and off the water for their hospitality organisation and high quality racing. We would like to thank Exmoor Ales for sponsoring the event and Optimum Time Watches for sponsoring the 2016 Southern Travellers Series.
1 Simon Hawkes 1282
2 Steve Popple 1414
3 Paul Birbeck 1419
4 Ivan Walsh 1300
Round 2 at Frensham Ponds Sailing Club on Sunday 10th April
See you there
Ivan 1300