Eastern Series - Fisher Green Open Report
A beautiful days sailing was had by the seven visitors and two locals at the first Eastern area meeting of the season.
The wind direction was perfect for the venue allowing a windward leg for the full length of the pond, returning to the leeward end via a series of reaching and running zig zags.
The sun shone, 10 to 12 knots plus the odd gust to catch some out, no weed and plenty of water, a perfect day to sort out the boat speed after the winter.
Boat speed had not deserted Matt who proceeded to get three straight wins, only having to work in the second race where Nick led round the first mark having made a superb port tack flyer at the start.
In the 1st race, Matt was followed home by Nick and Tim P.
In the 2nd race Matt had to work a little harder, with Nick leading for the 1st couple of marks, Tim P. was initially 3rd but decided the water looked so inviting a protracted swim was called for! This let Paul through to 3rd place.
The final race saw Matt disappear into the distance follow initially by Tim P. and Nick, this time it was Nick who opted for a swim allowing Graham up to 3rd.
Thanks to Fishers Green for a well-run meeting, super food and hospitality.
See Fishers Green’s Facebook page for more pictures : https://www.facebook.com/FishersGreenSailingClub
| Position |
Helm |
Position |
Points |
| 1st |
Matt House |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
| 2nd |
Nick Yannakoyorgos |
2 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
| 3rd |
Tim Platt |
3 |
8 |
2 |
5 |
| 4th |
Paul Bidwell |
4 |
3 |
5 |
7 |
| 5th |
Graham Dale-Jones |
5 |
6 |
3 |
8 |
| 6th |
Tim Gold |
6 |
5 |
6 |
11 |
| 7th |
Ken Daniels |
9 |
4 |
8 |
12 |
| 8th |
Ian Hill |
7 |
7 |
7 |
14 |
| 9th |
Jon Pulfer |
8 |
- |
- |
17 |
The next Eastern Event is The Eastern Area Championship at The Royal Harwich Y C on the 21st 22nd May.
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
Southern Series Dates 2016
March 19th Wimbleball
April 10th Frensham Pond
May 7th-8th Posh Paignton
July 9th-10th Shoreham
July 30th-31st Downs
Events sailed 1 2 3 4 5 6
Events to count 1 2 2 3 3 4
Eastern Series Dates 2016
2nd April — Fishers Green
21st - 22nd May — Smugglers at Royal Harwich (Eastern Champs)
4th - 5th June — Creeksea Grand Prix event
15th - 16th July — Stone
15th - 16th October — Alton Water
