Guildford Marine Papercourt Optimist Open - 2 January 2010
The top 4 sailors from each fleet - Main Fleet back row and Regatta Fleet front row
67 sailors from 17 different sailing clubs attended this year’s winter open meeting, despite the extremely cold weather forecast. On arrival, as is customary they were greeted with cheery smiles and bacon rolls and a lake that was split in two by a band of ice! The small issue of clearing the ice was quickly rectified with the rescue boats driving around to break it up, with the sun and wind helping to ensure it soon melted. Nigel Bird and his race team assessed the conditions, postponed the start to allow the wind to finish dispersing the ice and reduced the number of races to three; two before lunch and a final one in the afternoon.
In the main fleet 43 sailors lined up to start the first race in clear blue skies and a light south to southwesterly breeze, which provided the sailors with the challenge of picking the shifts and the right side of the course to get the most from the wind. Scott Wallis, from Spinnaker lead from start to finish, with local sailors Murray Hampshire and Esther Fenton-Jones finishing second and third.
The 24 strong regatta fleet got away to a clean start, catching the tail enders of the main fleet, with William Knatchbull from Great Moor SC leading the way from Alex King from Warsash and James Eddy from Royal Lymington SC. Alice Handley from Papercourt started well with a tidy 5th and 1st girl.
The 2nd race was sailed straight after the first in very similar conditions, however this time the fleet started prematurely and they had to wait until the regatta fleet had started before they could try again. This time they got away to a clean start, with Scott and Murray graciously swapping 1st and 2nd places to leave them tied for the overall lead, with Josh Voller from Burghfield SC finishing 3rd just ahead of Esther. This raised the pressure over the lunch break ahead of the afternoon’s deciding race.
The regatta fleet were well behaved in their 2nd race and Daniel Thorne-Large from Chipstead finished 1st, ahead of William Knatchbull, Alex King and Nick Wishart from Papercourt recording his best result, with a 4th place.
On their return to the shore, all the sailors and parents were treated to a “Papercourt Lizzie Lucas- Clements and Galley Team lasagna extravaganza”, with around 120 portions being served with salad bread and cakes – no-one went hungry!
With their appetites sated, the sailors left the shore for the final race, again held in light winds. This time race officer Nigel Bird went straight to black flag and the fleet responded with a clean start. Jamie Webb from Wrasbury made the most of the conditions, winning the final race. Scott Wallis, finished 2nd clinching the event, with local sailor Robert Masterman in 3rd, Karyna Manuel 4th and Esther 5th. The final overall results were Scott Wallis 1st, Murray Hampshire 2nd and Ester Fenton-Jones 3rd and first girl.
The regatta fleet also got away to clean start with Alex King securing the trophy by winning the last race from Annabel Whelan and Jack Lucas Clement, both from Papercourt. William Knatchbull finishing 2nd overall, with Daniel Thorne-Large 3rd. Alice Handley finished 1st girl in 5th place overall.
Following a tea of savouries and cakes organised by Ann Brand, the prizes were presented by Chris Granger as Commodore and on behalf of the sponsors Guildford Marine, who provided a wonderful array of prizes.
