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Sunderland - 2005 |
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Sunderland 20th - 21st August
Saturday's weather was wild – so wild that at the published start the winds were 30 knots gusting well beyond and even after two postponements were still at 25 knots gusting 30 by the final decision time at 4.00 PM, when all racing for the day was postponed to the following day and waiting competitors adjourned to get ready for an evening out. On Sunday the day started with little wind, from the North, but was forecast to increase and back to the South. The Race Officer briefed the fleet to expect a long day of five races back to back in order to compress the regatta into the single day. Race 1 With the wind from the North West at 5 knots or so, the RO set a single lap Trapezoid course (thus including three windward sections and two downwind legs). With the port end apparently favoured most started there and continued left inshore. Brian Finnie chose to tack early and went right, where the still ebbing tide promised to get him to the mark in front, but Stacey Vials and Gareth Williams made the mark just ahead, with Brian, Ian and Katie close behind. At that point the wind died completely, leaving everyone frozen in their places until the new breeze set in from the south. Stacey, Gareth and Brian were still well placed for the new wind, while Ian was left well to leeward, having set out in the doldrums to find the wind from the intermediate westerly direction, which did not materialise. At the new windward mark it was Stacey, Gareth, Brian, Katie and these positions were maintained on the subsequent downwind leg. On the final beat Katie and Ian, who had been working hard to make up lost ground, powered past Brian, who only just kept Pete at bay at the finish. Race 2 The wind had settled in the South and strengthened somewhat to nearer 10 knots. The RO set up a one lap triangle in an effort to make up for time lost during the wind shift in the first race. In the sprint that followed, Stacey and Gareth led at the windward mark but Katie and Ian used superior downwind speed to overtake on the next leg. A two turn penalty held up Ian in the final windward leg, and the order at the finish was Katie, Stacey, Ian then Gareth. Race 3 With the wind still in the south and rising again to 12 knots a two lap triangle was set for the third race. Some aggressive starting put both Ian and Katie over the line and they had to return, allowing Stacey and Gareth once again to lead at the the windward mark, with Pete finding form close behind. Ian and Katie worked their way from behind to pick off the back markers with Katie just overtaking Pete at the finish line. Newcomer to the Europe Leanne Graham, sailing a borrowed boat, had been learning fast and stayed in touch with the more experienced group throughout the race. Race 4 The wind remained at 12 knots or so in the South and another two lap triangle was set. These courses brought the faster handicap boats up with the slower boats to make the leeward mark and the narrow gate on the windward leg areas of disturbed wind and water. At the first windward mark, only Ian and Brian had recognised the strength of the tide and made perfect tacks to the mark. Gareth had been far enough ahead to overcome overstanding by a mile to pass the mark in second place while the rest of the fleet were left behind. Ian opened out his lead and Gareth determinedly hung on to his place. After her misjudgement at the windward mark Katie worked through to third and Stacey overtook Brian on the line. Race 5 A final one lap triangle was set to complete the series, with the wind now starting to drop. Only six Europes started as Leanne had decided she had learnt enough for one day. At the windward mark Ian, Gareth, Pete and Katie sailed clear while Brian and Stacey were held up by a port/starboard conflict. While that was resolved by Brian's two penalty turns, another incident during the race led to a protest meeting and Ian's disqualification, after having crossed the line in the lead. This left Gareth to take the race and with it the series. Results Gareth's consistency earned him first place overall, while Stacey Vials from the local club came a well deserved second, just one point behind.
The new venue at Sunderland Yacht Club was voted an outstanding success by all. The sailing area is clear open sea, but close to the protected launch area. The clubhouse and facilities are first rate. The Race Management was excellent and sympathetic to the interests of those taking part. This is a venue that the Europes will be back to. Club members commented that several of them had their eyes opened to the Europe, which is a credit to those taking part for demonstrating the close standard of racing that the class achieves (and the boats all looked nice, too!). Brian Finnie GBR348
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