Woodspring Model Sailing Club
The David Trippe Trophy was the first of the District Championship series. It was a bitterly cold day with gusts bringing sleet and hail.
We had two skippers from outside the area - Chris Harris from Bournville and Mark Dicks from Clapham. Chris put his stamp on the event with a series of first places and just two second places which were discarded. Richard Wills from West Cornwall RSC was second, some 21 points astern! It was sixth and seventh places before the home team figured in the scoring.
Yeovil hosted the second of the District Championships series.
We had a total of 17 skippers and the usual two fleet system of racing was employed. Four of the West Cornwall skippers and John White from Bideford together with Gary Laity from Dartmoor made the ‘cut’ for the first A fleet. The wind was light and from the East swinging slightly. At the end of racing West Cornwall and Bideford skippers filled the top six places with Barry Chisam the overall winner. Bob Conner was our top scorer finishing in 7th place after winning the last race of the day. Then it was Mike Hounsell, Reg Gallop, Alan Chidgey and Neil Surman.
West Cornwall RSC hosted the Gerry Gray Trophy and the third in the District Championship series on 27th & 29th June. There were twelve skippers and we sailed eighteen races as one fleet with Peter Cropper our Race Officer. The wind was a brisk 'top suit' blowing straight down the lake. Trevor Bamforth was sailing his Widget 'TNT' for the firts time and made a convincing start by taking the first two races. Then it was Nick Martin with a Stealth Mk II who 'creamed away' for the next three races. Trevor re-established his hold on the racing finishing the day witth just 36 points to Nick's 44 points. John White from Bideford tied with Barry Chisam WCRSC for third place but John took it on countback.
Sunday saw the wind blowing across the lake, a little more 'fitful' in strength. There were fifteen skippers sailing in two fleets. Colin Trower from Hampton Court gave Tevor a good run for his money but Trev came out the winner with 10 points after eight races and Colin had to settle for second spot with 11 points. Bob Conner was our next highest scorer in 5th place with 32. Mike Hounsell was 8th and Neil Surman 11th. Alan and Reg finished 12th & 15th. We all had a very enjoyable weekend both sailing and socially.
Tamar Lakes was the venue for the 4th in the SW District Championships Series where there were twenty skippers competeing. The course was set by John White and his team in the building SW onshore wind. Barry Chisam and Simon Clark won their seeding races and the A fleet consisted of Barry, Simon, Richard Wills, Alan Perham,Trevor Bamforth, Bob Conner, Bill Curtis, Peter Cropper, Wayne Hitchens and Alan Chidgey. Racing continued at a good pace with only one protest meeting which was sorted very quickly and the 3 skippers involved shook hands afterwards which was good to see. At the close of racing Richard Wills was a worthy winner with 21 points. Alan Perham was second with 22 points and Trevor third with 26 points. A point to note, both Richard and Trevor did not win a single race all day - just sailed consitently.
