Results / Mini - Series Littleton SC - 06/02/2005

The second RS 200 Littleton event of the mini series proved to be even lighter and trickier conditions than the first event. In spite of the light winds 17 boats turned up for some very close tactical racing. In race 1 Steve Dunn crewed by Noelle Vidal got to the windward mark first, with Ian Pickard and Sarah Taylor, and Sarah Allan and with new crew/lever Malcolm Perry following close behind. Tactically all the leaders concurred that the option was to gybe. However, Geoff Carveth who came around the mark in sixth, with light weight youngen crew Milly Parkin decided to try something different, caught a new breeze and got to the leeward mark first. Tom and Jo Hewitson also sniggled their way through the fleet to second place only to discover that they did not go through the downwind gate and were disqualified. (They were not the only one, but the course was the same as the first event which they won!) Second place therefore went to Mike and Sheridan and third to local sailors Sue and Jo. Race 2 followed back to back in exceptionally light conditions. Although the line was pin favoured it was those who started on the right who benefited from large right hand shift and were at the front of the pack. Geoff/Milly played the middle game but managed to get to the windward mark first mark. The wind conditions were very light and a lot of place changing went on in the middle pack. However, Tom and Jo managed to pick their way up through fleet taking second place and third place went again to Sue and Jo. Again another delicious lunch was provided by the Club before race three which started in very shifty conditions as a big black cloud passed and caused some confusion to the already very light winds. Mike and Sheridan from Wembley spotted a left hand shift on the start line and started at the pin crossing the fleet on port and arriving at the windward mark in a comfortable first. Geoff/Milly on very consistent form were second to the mark. However, a gaggle of boats then arrived at the mark all at once. With a large lefty, coupled by Sue And Joe tacking on to Port, I (Sarah/Malcolm) acquired water on none less than Sue/Joe, Tom/Joe, Commodore Dobner/Sue causing a rather friendly raft up! It was Tom and Joe who snuck away closely followed by me. Unfortunately later on in the race Mike could not believe Geoff tacked towards the club house shore towards little breeze on a header only to get a super lift and pressure snatching the lead. However, unfortunately Mike did not learn wisely from local sailor Geoff and also lost third to Tom and Jo in exactly the same way on the following lap! OVERALL It was Geoff, who was crewless until 6pm with his last minute star 7 stone crew Milly Parkin who sailed so consistently his discard was a first. Tom and Jo were second with two seconds. Third place went to Mike and Sherringdon who sailed very well. And local sailors Sue and Jo also sailed very consistently were fourth. The days prizes went to Geoff and Milly were provided by Purple and Holt. There are two more events in the series taking place on the 13th and 27th February. The 27th is also the Littleton open meeting and counts as a separate event as well.