Results / Inland Championships Llandegfedd SC - 09/06/2012

10 homeboats to make a fleet of 13, a little disappointing but not surprising with the weather forecast.
DAY ONE
Force 3 Gusting 5 in bright sunshine
Richard Wilson first to the windward mark, Jeremy Symons, Richard Willows and Andrew Davies in pursuit. Symons capsized and left the others to fight it out with Alex Howard joining the fray. Wilson held for a first, Willows for second and Davies covering Symons for a good third to the newcomer from Margam.
Race 2
A similar sequence Wilson, Willows, Howard and Symons, with wind still strong. Slight abatement in the wind allowed Symons to pass Wilson and take a commanding lead on lap 2. The wind strengthened again and the wind specialist Wilson taking a second chance to pass through into first with Symons second and Howard third.
Race 3
Still strong winds, a port flyer from home man John Regan saw him sail past the fleet and round to the mark first with Wilson and Willows. Carnage at the leeward mark with substantial gusts knocking several boats flat gave a punishing upwind slog to the windward mark. Wilson pushed by Willows up front to make it 3 out of 3, with Symons pulling through the fleet to take 3rd and Regan 4th.
DAY TWO
Light winds, sunny and dry, unlike the forecast
A drifting start saw Wilson over the line and needing return, from which he would not recover. Willows, Regan and Davies led around the windward mark to take a commanding lead over the rest of the fleet which was headed by Symons. Some good choices by Symons allowed him the close on the front runners and sail away to win Willows becoming becalmed windward over the last 20 yards and was overtaken by Regan 3rd and Nigel Tinkler (changing from his RS100 for the Vareo this weekend).
Race Five
Symons shows a good nose for the wind and leads around the first mark chased by Willows, Symons leads for the whole of the race until the last leg and the decision not to cover Willows, costs him dear to take 2nd, Willows 1st and Wilson 3rd.
Race Six
A decider between Wilson, Symons and Willows. Symons is off again and sails away from the fleet to win convincingly. Willows taking second and Wilson holding off Davies to secure third.
The result was decided on a count back, and Richard Wilson retains his Inland Championship from local man Jeremy Symons, who learns a lesson to take nothing for granted as a loss to Richard Willows in Race Five cost him the championship. Richard Willows came third, Nigel Tinkler fourth and Alex Howard fifth.
A great weekend sail, missed by those who did not travel, enjoyed by all those that attended. Special thanks to the club for organising an excellent meal in the local pub and to first class race management by the local team. Next year should improve the turnout with new facilities promised by Welsh Water in the form of a sailing centre, with hot and cold showers, food and beverages.