All Relatives

Fast and furious sailing

May 27 2005

A good breeze with waves created ideal conditions for helms at Beer Sailing Club this week.

Thursday evening saw a good size Laser fleet enjoying the conditions. After a poor first beat, both James Trewick and Ron Westcott found themselves at the back of the fleet at the windward mark but, with everyone in front of them sailing off to the wrong mark next, they found themselves second and third by the gybe mark!

Ali Green just managed to hold onto the lead despite this and went on to pull out a commanding position to the end. James Trewick held onto the second, though looked vulnerable to attack from the chasing pack. Behind him places were changing constantly in what was a closely fought race. By the end, third place had been held at least once by Chris Adkin, Ron Westcott and David McCrea with David just securing the place at the finish line.

On personal handicap it was a win for Stewart Aplin with Ron Westcott second and Martin Diplock third.

With conditions having strengthened by Sunday there was no Mirror racing in the morning. Club members and locals alike, however, gathered on the beach to see the splendid sight of 'ORB All Relative' rowing around Beer Head and into the bay. This ocean rowing boat is entered in the next rowing race across the Atlantic this autumn. Crewed by four young men from Beer, all related to each other (Justin Adkin, James Green, Robert Adkin and Martin Adkin), the boat was given a warm reception on the beach having rowed around from Exmouth where there had been an official launching ceremony the previous day. Everyone at the club wishes them success and looks forward to following their adventure closely.

Strong wind and big waves provided fast and exhilarating sailing for the Lasers on Sunday afternoon. By the end of the first beat, the race couldn't be closer with Ron Westcott rounding the windward first, closely followed by James Trewick and Ali Green.

By the gybe mark James Trewick had taken the lead and a tight battle ensued up the next beat and down the run. A mistake by Ron Westcott at the second gybe mark saw him capsize and fall back from the leaders. A similar mistake after the third gybe mark by Ali Green gave James a comfortable victory by the finish.

The second race was equally closely fought through the waves up the beat and surfing down and across the waves on the reaches and runs. James Trewick settled into the lead with Ali Green and Ron Westcott trading places for second until the wind unexpectedly fell light towards the end of the race when Ali secured second place but couldn't catch James by this stage. On personal handicaps James also took the wins in both races from Ron Westcott second and Stewart Aplin third.