Christmas Mini Series 2021

Saturday 18th December was selected for this years Christmas Mini Series. The morning was in general overcast with about average temperature for the time of year and a gentle 8-15 Knot breeze from the East. It was decided to run five races, each of fifteen minutes using a single lap, triangle / sausage course.

Our new class captain agreed to be gate boat for the first race and set a trend by leading all the way around the course. The wind fluctuated from 050 to 120 degrees, throughout the race with significant variation in pressure to make the race challenging for all. Winners; ILCA 7 - Mike and ILCA 6 - Robin.

With the wind having on average backed about 15 degrees, the course was adjusted slightly for race 2. Gate boat this time being an ILCA 6 (Roberta). Again, being gate seemed to be an advantage and Roberta was the first ILCA 6 to finish.

For Race 3, it was again the turn of an ILCA 7 to be gate boat (Alan) who continued the trend and lead the race from start to finish, crossing the line exactly on the race target time of 15 minutes!

Race 4 was again the turn of an ILCA 6 to be gate (Robin). Just at the start the wind veered 20 degrees and there was a discussion on the committee boat about abandoning the start and trying again. In the end it was allowed to run as everyone appeared to have adequate time to get back and start without any problems. Again the gate boat was the first in their class to finish.

For the final race it was again the turn of an ILCA 7 to be gate (Colston) and this was the only race not to be won by the gate boat.

Having got all five races of the series completed on time, and it being such a lovely (now sunny) morning (despite the shifts and holes in the breeze), it was decided to offer a bonus race that would not count in the series results. The offer was taken up by everyone still on the water. results for the standalone race were;

ILCA 6

1. Ann
2. Roberta

ILCA 7

1. Simon
2. Chris
3. Alan
4. Colston
5. Andrew
6. Scott
7. Nick.
8. Nick S.
9. Mike
10. Bob
11. David
12. Gary

The fleet then adjourned for a beer and prize giving on what was now a sunny, warm balcony of the clubhouse. An extra thank you to Mike for sponsoring the prizes. The winners;

ILCA 6

1. Ann Keates
2. Roberta Hartley
3. Robin Phipps

ILCA 7

1. Alan Davis
2. Mike Atkinson
3. Chris Whalley

Full results are available here..