Results / SW Winter Series - Final Results Bristol Corinthain YC - 01/01/2003

BCYC at Axbridge was the final - and deciding - venue for the South West winter series on March 9th. The weather obliged and provided some real champagne yachting for the home RS200 fleet and those from local clubs like Chew Valley,Bowmoor, Burghfield and Cotswold. It also provided a platform for sponsors Lynall Boats and JUGS to demonstrate their array of clothing and chandlery with great prizes for the top boats. Hosts BCYC showed how to run some excellent racing and cater for the hungry teams during the lunch break. Race 1 saw Ralph / Sophie Singleton of Chew Valley establish a steady lead from Pete Vincent and the chasing pack - including Paul Dorer and Ian Pickard who recovered well from a messy swim whilst demonstrating optimum 25 knot gybing technique. Maybe it was all over for the series as Ralph led Pete round the last gybe mark ? However, drama kicked in on the last reach when a kite problem on the normally reliable 809 allowed Pete to take the gun and record his first win of the 8 race series with Team Singleton in second slot. Paul Dorer / Ian Robertson held on for a solid third place. In race 2, Jon Lewis and Camille Parsons came out to play in their new Harken equipped boat and challenge for the overall series win. It was Ralph and Sophie who showed first at the start, crossing the fleet on port. Paul Dorer / Ian Robertson sailing 695 rounded the windward mark second and ripped through downhill to lead at the leeward buoy. It was all close up the beat but the next run was not so successful for the boys from Bowmoor as they took a quick dip in a big gust. No mistakes for Ralph / Sophie Singleton meant they took the winner's gun this time, with Pete Vincent busily checking his mirrors to spot some major carnage on the run. Amongst the chaos, 'Wizza' Dorer / 'G.I' Robertson held just off Andy Robertson / Emily Haworth and Jon Lewis / Camille Parsons who had all tasted the water on the 30 knot downwind stretches. In the final analysis, thirty boats took part and fourteen qualified for the series but it was Ralph / Sophie Singleton who just shaded it on discard from Jon Lewis / Camille Parsons for first slot. After some great coaching on the Saturday, Paul Dorer / Ian Robertson edged out their instructor Pete Vincent to take third slot after counting back to the second discard. Other race winners during the series were Richard / Maria Stanley from Bowmoor and guest stars Ollie Holden / Sarah Freestone from Hayling Island. Thanks are due to the series sponsors plus all those clubs - BCYC, Chew Valley, Cotswold and Bowmoor - who were prepared to let the RS200s come and join their normal club racing. Final Results ...... see attached. For individual vent results in this series contact Stephen Robertson or the RS Office.