Results / GUL GP Roadford SC - 25/06/2011
Andrew Wilson (583) & Richard Willows (559) downwind on Sunday Race1
559 flying the new spinnaker
5 Vareos attended the Gul event at Roadford, a very disappointing turnout for a new event put on for the boats in the SW, particularly as conditions were the best so far this year, slightly cloudy initially on Saturday, but finishing under clear skies, but sparkling conditions on Sunday , with winds on both days slightly shifty, but gusting to a good force 4 most of the time. Race 1 started with a close first beat with Andrew Wilson just first at the windward mark, followed by Richard willows who harried him down the run, forcing him to gybe a fraction too quickly resulting in a capsize. Willows sailed comfortably to the finish, with Wilson catching up to second place. The next two races showed a familiar pattern , with Wilson determine to avoid further error, leading both races off the line, followed by Willows, with Geoff Shaw & Ken Myles trading places for 3rd & 4th, but Myles just coming out on top; Willows tended to be a little faster off wind , but Wilson always a bit quicker up the beat.
Sunday dawned bright with Roadford a millpond at 9am, but the wind soon filled in from the SE & built nicely. Wilson & Willows swapped spinnakers, but the races showed a similar pattern to the last two except that Geoff Shaw was noticeably quicker & put pressure on second place in all three races. The final result was 5 wins to Wilson, 1 win & 4 seconds to Willows, 3 3rds & 4ths to Shaw & Myles who were equal 3rd, with Jonathan Carr from Starcross coming in a manful 5th. Many thanks to Julian Brooke-Houghton who came over to help & was OOD on Sunday & who took a lot of photos which will go on the gallery.
As can be seen from the picture the proposed new kite was on view, with Wilson using on Saturday & Willows on Sunday. The feeling was that it was certainly no quicker on a windward leeward course than the old style kite. It clearly has a much stronger pull on the sheet hand & I would presume it is giving much less lift at the hounds , which if you compare in the picture is probably to be expected. It is much more stable & forgiving coming out of the gybe & this should make it easier for the average sailor , plus it should reach better & not stretch out of shape. My verdict is that this is a good move , but nobody needs to dash out & get one for the Nationals, except perhaps to use the discount on offer, otherwise just buy one when your old one is knackered!’
Next stop Lee on the Solent July 9/10 Richard willows 559
|
Name |
Club |
Boat no |
Race 1 |
Race2 |
Race3 |
Race 4 |
Race 5 |
Race 6 |
Points less discard |
Place |
|
Andrew Wilson |
Datchet |
583 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
1 |
|
Richard Willows |
Roadford |
559 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
9 |
2 |
|
Geoff Shaw |
Roadford |
386 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
17 |
=3 |
|
Ken Miles |
Shoreham |
420 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
17 |
=3 |
|
Jonathan Carr |
Starcross |
444 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
25 |
5 |