Results / Exe Open Exe SC - 24/09/2005

Exe SC RS 200 Training day and Open Meeting 24/25 September The Exe SC RS200 fleet was delighted to welcome visiting boats from as far a field as Kent to the east and Cornwall to the west, for the clubs first RS200 training / open event. The 200�s were joined by 10 of the clubs Comet Trios for the training day. For those who have not come across the Trio its another Morrison design, a modern asymmetric �family � dinghy. As we all know Morrison does not �do� slow boats and the Trio is surprisingly quick especially in the lighter stuff. Training was led by Lee Sydenham, Ian Pickard, Lucy Mathews with the aid of Trio aces Andrew and Caroline McAusland. After the pre brief the fleet went offshore to enjoy a very pleasant if a little chilly easterly. Anne Voudry and Jane Willan were the one of the first to test the waters with Anne earning high points for at least one spectacular dive off the centreboard. After 4 hours of tacking, gybing and starting practice the rather tired crews had the opportunity to try a little surfing as the fleet came back in at low tide over the �Pole� sands. Further entertainment was provided by Ian when he and Lucy managed to wrap a race mark weighting chain around the prop of their rib. Something to do with freak tidal conditions gripping the RIB and pushing it over the mark!!!!!! After an entertaining evening on Saturday It all looked good on Sunday morning, sunshine and a steadily building south westerly breeze. Race officer Steve Best, standing in for Phil Morrison, took the fleet off shore and the competitors enjoyed three races in prefect conditions. The strong breeze and rising sea provided exciting conditions, too exciting for some as the punishment for a miss timed track or gybe was a high speed capsize. Saturday�s coaching team, Sydenham (now reunited in the boat with Anne Voudry), Pickard / Mathews demonstrated that they did indeed know what they were talking about and showed the fleet the way around the race course, with the exception of race two when Sarah Taylor and the other Lucy Mathews took second. Also showing well in the heavy conditions Falmouths Martin English and Amy Lingard. Further incident was provided by the Pickard Mathews combination when Ian�s toe strap came lose and he fell out of the boat. Given Ian�s reputation as the boat prep guru this incident was greatly appreciated by all. With honorary locals Lee and Anne (Lee learned to Sail as a member of the Exe SC Cadet squadron) out in front it was left to Chris Rhodes ably crewed by Jess Blick to rescue the honour of the local fleet by taking 5th place with Rick Newcombe and Rosie Sands 7th and Pete and Ali Owens 9th. The prize giving was preceded by the mass consumption of bread and butter pudding and Apple crumble, we hope the start of an Exe SC tradition. All the prize winners went away with new caps compliments of �Sailsport� the west country online chandlery, and Ian was the proud recipient of a bottle of wine adorned (by Sydenham) with a circle of rusty chain. Exe SCc will welcome the 200�s back for a full two day open in the late Spring / early summer prior to the Nationals in August. Finally pics from Sundays racing can be found on the �fotoboat� website www.fotoboat.com Rick Newcombe