Results / Stewartby Open Stewartby - 17/09/2005

24 RS200s At Stewartby Water Stewartby Water was glinting invitingly in a sunny force three as 24 RS200s rigged for the final event of the SEAS circuit. Race team Nigel and Fiona Denchfield set a half mile windward / leeward course and then the weatherman�s predictions came true as the wind became very frustrating, light and patchy. The SEAS series would be decided by todays racing and race one finished with the top three boats in the series: Dave and Emma Derby, Sue Antonelli / Jo LLoyd and Dave / Matt Giles in 2nd,3rd and 4th behind star guests and light wind specialists ( not ) Pete Vincent and Tessa Nicholls. The wind for race two was very shifty and holier than the popes vest. The �clever� money, followed by most of the fleet, went right and sailed into a dead end corner. Four brave teams separated left and hit the new breeze, which had shifted hard left, these four established an indecent lead. Andi Riley / Julie Marsden lead for three laps until, on the final run and in a dying breeze, Vincent got the header from heaven to claim his second bullet. Andy / Geraldine Peters came in 3rd with Tony Witham / Mandie Neal 4th and with the wind dying the rest of the fleet drifted in upto fifteen minutes later. Tony and Matt Stephenson ( eventual winners of the tri-ards prize ) were towed in across a mirror like lake. Unusually the worst wind was during the lunch break and the afternoon races were sailed in a patchy but at times quite strong breeze. Race 3 saw the fleet well separated in a shifty and tactical race which finished with Derby, Giles, Riley in the top three places and any one of five teams positioned to win overall. In the final race Derby hit the committee boat and Riley parked in a deep hole to collect their discards. Antonelli lead most of the final race to win chased by but never much threatened by Vincent and Giles. Pete Vincent and Tessa Nicholls were worthy winners on a challenging day and were awarded the new Stewartby trophy - a painting by local RS sailor Sally Denchfield. The Derbys� second place was enough to win them the overall SEAS trophy. Free cakes and tea in the clubhouse was the best part of a trying day for some teams. 1st Vincent/Nicholls, 2nd Derbys, 3rd Antonelli/Lloyd, 4th Giles, 5th Riley/Marsden.