The Sutton Bingham Sailing Club 2016 Club Championship took place over the weekends of 2nd and 9th October. Originally scheduled for Sunday the 2nd, the complete absence of wind after the first race lead to postponement of the 2nd and third races to the following Sunday.
Last year, Rob Dyer was crowned Champion after turning up for the two afternoon races which he won outright. This year Rob has won the cup yet again but this time had a bit more work to do.
Sunday 2nd October was a glorious sunny and warm day but rubbish for sailing. Rave Officer, Mike Riley had the impossible task of setting a good course. The little wind there was in the morning came and went from all directions making the first race a bit of a lottery. Only 12 competitors took to the water for Race 1, leaving many of the usual contenders ashore wondering whether they’d made the right decision to forego this race. It turns out that they were right. It was painful enough to watch the boats creeping round the course but excruciating to sail in those conditions being sat in awkward positions and motionless for long periods in order to avoid slowing the boat down. We could almost hear the relief as the competitors crossed the finishing line, and the groans from those that had gone out but given up. Of the 10 finishers, Richard Frost in his trusty Solo grabbed a well earned 3rd with Andrew Frost flying the 7sqm sail on his Aero managing 2nd and Rob Dyer in his Laser scooping 1st place.
Sunday 9th October was a much cooler day but the wind was a nice F2 gusting F3 from a not so nice NNE direction forcing the race to be run in the Halstock leg much diminished by extensive water level reductions that have created new and hazardous shallow rocky areas. John Rickard, the Race Officer, set essentially windward leward courses for both races with good long beats and even longer runs.
The narrow starting line in Race 2 generated plenty of “communication” between the 19 helms and a few penalty turns but everyone got away cleanly. By the end of the first lap Ian Jay (Finn) lead the fleet with Rob Dyer (Laser) on his tail then the next group of Chris Bottomley (DZero), Pete Barnstable (Blaze) and Adrian Neal (Supernova) a minute behind. The Race Officer shortened course to 3 laps just as Rob Dyer had taken the lead for the first time and crossed the line 4 seconds ahead of Ian Jay, followed by Chris Bottomley a minute later. On corrected time 1st place Rob Dyer (Laser), 2nd Andrew Frost (Aero 5) and 3rd Howard Frear (Streaker).
The start line was extended for Race 3 but this seemed to make the start more tricky for the 18 competeting boats with plenty of jostling and two boats clearly over the line. Rob Dyer returned quickly to exonerate himself and set off in pursuit whilst Richard Heaton travelled 50m before returning then promptly capsized to give himself a huge margin to recover. Chris Bottomley lead the front pack by several lengths followed by Ian Jay and Pete Barnstable then Richard Frost with Rob Dyer trailing in 5th. By the windward mark on Lap 2 Ian Jay had overtaken Chris and gained a 50 metre lead which he continued to consolidate througout the race taking a clear first place and second place overall in the Championship. Chris maintained 2nd place throughout finishing a minute behind Ian. Andrew Frost(Aero 7) made gains over the gaggle of Supernovas in Lap 2 and managed to fight off a determined attack on the run down to the leeward mark to remain in contention with Adrian Neal and eventually overtake him on the 4th and final lap to come in 3rd on the water crossing the line at the same time as Pete Barnstable.
Overall results were based on results of all three races with one result discarded. Prizes were awarded by Commodore, Andy Roxburgh with top Cadet awarded to Max Roberston in 8th place, top Lady awarded to Kelsey Green in 9th place overall then 3rd place Andrew Frost. 2nd place Ian Jay and Club Champion Rob Dyer.
Rob thanked the officials including the Race Officers Mike Riley and John Rickard, OODs Neil and Gaynor Fraser, Mick Ayles, Jonathon Kerr and the Galley staff John Bretherton and Jo Kerr and Saffron Gallagher and Richard Frost for assistance with the results.