Results / Gul National Championships East Lothian YC - 09/08/2004
DAY 5, the concluding story.
Day 5 at the GUL RS200 National Championships was a truly remarkable day
of sailing which produced probably the closest every finish overall
possible. But more of that later.
Many started the day a little bleary eyed after the successful Cowboy and
Indian karaoke theme night further confused by the fact that there was
not fog shrouding the dinghy park. In fact as brain cells started to work
it dawned on people that there was a funny round, hot, yellow thing in
the sky; something not seen since arriving on Saturday. Then sensation,
looking out to sea we could see all the islands and then Norway came into
view, well actually the north shore of the Firth of Forth some 12 miles
away but it felt like Norway having not seen land in that direction for 6
days.
So the fleet launched into the jolly pleasant conditions of sunshine,
clear blue skies and a 10-12 knot breeze from the north east ready to do
battle for the final overall positions. In keeping with 10 days of
easterlies the size of the sea exceeded the strength of the wind
requiring crews to work hard and concentrate at all times.
Race 8 was opened with defending champions David Giles/Fiona Clark as
pathfinder needing a special day to defend their title. They got off to
the best possible start leading at mark 1 with BCYC�s finest Trudie
Danbury/Graeme Ryder second. Unfortunately for Giles/Clark, Geoff
Carveth/Jane Willan and Sydenham/Vaudrey were in the leading pack and the
pair moved through to second and third on lap 2. Carveth closed right up
on Giles as they approached the final leeward gate; Carveth appeared to
think there was an extra lap and headed for the right hand buoy whilst
Giles rounded the left buoy and headed for the finish line. Carveth
quickly recovered but Sydenham just gained water to claim second, Carveth
third and Lewis/Parsons fourth.
With 8 races now completed a second discard came into play and Carveth�s
lead over Sydenham was down to 3 points. Race 9 saw a very even break on
the gate with pathfinder Steve Dunn/Rachel Jones just leading from early
starter Carveth, very late starter Pete Vincent/ Eluned Jones third and
early starter Sydenham fourth. These leading four pulled well clear in a
close tussle with Dunn swapping the lead with Carveth throughout. The
final run started with Carveth 2 boat lengths ahead of Dunn with Sydenham
a further two boat lengths behind. Carveth was the first to gybe on to
port allowing Dunn and Sydenham to work the right of centre. When they
gybed they had better pressure and as they approached the final leeward
gate the race was between Dunn and Sydenham. Sydenham/Vaudrey had water
on Dunn at the final mark but were approaching on a very broad angle; as
they rounded Dunn nearly sailed through to leeward with higher speed. On
the 100 yard close reach to the finish Sydenham had the height and used a
wave to get over Dunn to win by half a bow sprit.
The Race Officer had just enough time under the Sailing Instructions to
start the tenth race and complete a full schedule. Carveths lead was now
only one point and it promised to be a tense race.
The first five boats out of the gate, Jon Lewis, Carveth, Hewitsons,
Danbury and Sydenham were the first five round the windward. Sydenham was
the first to gybe on the run and soaked down over the leading boats to
take the lead. Carveth knew that Sydenham would have to cover so tried to
lead his rival onto the unfavoured side of the beat and run allowing
Lewis to close. The final run started with Sydenham just in the lead from
Lewis and Carveth. Sydenham followed Carveth out to the right as Lewis
gybed early. As the boats came back together it was clear Lewis had
gained and he took the winning gun from Sydenham. The teams of
Carveth/Willan and Sydenham/Vaudrey were unclear who had won and ashore
initially each thought the other had won.
In fact they were tied on 19pts and had the same number of first places,
also the same number of seconds, the same number of thirds and the same
number of fourths. The next tie break to be used was who beat who in the
most number of races, a five all draw. So it went down to the final tie
break, who beat who in the final race they both counted. This was the
final race and Sydenham/Vaudrey were GUL RS200 2004 National Champions as
they finished second to Carveths and Williams third. Sydenham/Vaudrey
were very worthy winners but it was tough on Carveth/Willan who were
sailing together for the first time.
East Lothian YC were quite rightfully congratulated on running such a
great championship even if the weather at time had not played ball. They
were remarkably friendly hosts and had two great race teams. At least on
the final day we all could see what a picturesque coastline we had been
sailing along.
Paul and Sharon Plestead won the Silver Division, Douglas and Kathy
Hamilton the Bronze Division, Ben Lister was first Youth Helm, Jackie and
Josie Gebhard won the Family Prize, Sophie Hartley was first Junior crew,
Bristol Corinthian were Top Club. Perhaps performance of the week was
Sarah Allen/Elaine Turner winning the very hotly contested Lady Helm
prize but also finishing 11th overall in her first nationals as a helm.
It�s the other end of the country next year for the GUL RS200 Nationals
next year, hosted by Highcliffe SC. Book your holiday now and bring your
calculators, its going to be fun and close.
Pete Vincent.
Day 4
After a very frustrating day on Wednesday looking at very poor
visibility, no racing and numerous requests for redress from the previous
days race 3 when the spreader mark went walkabout it was a huge relief to
get back to proper racing. Early signs were not clever with fog hiding
the islands; a 3 hour delay allowed some serious putting green
competition but by 14.00 visibility was good and a good 14- 17 knot
breeze from the east welcomed the fleet as they launched with a fair
sized sea still running.
Race 5 and a familiar scene greeted the fleet as the first beat opened;
Geoff Carveth/Jane Willan crossing everybody having started early. They
then pulled out a good lead leaving quite a tussle behind for the minor
places. David Giles/Fiona Clark finished second just ahead of John
Greenland/Pippa Williams and Steve Dunn/Rachel Jones.
Race 6 and Sarah Allen/Elaine Turner flew into the first mark to lead at
the first mark. They gybed to early on the first run and lost out to the
pack that stayed further right. Lee Sydenham/Anne Vaudrey had a very
healthy lead at the first leeward gate and powered away to win by a good
margin from Tom/Jo Hewitson, James Stewart/Sam Littlejohn and Jon
Lewis/Milly Parsons.
With such a good breeze set the Race Officer pushed on and started race 7
with pathfinder John Greenland/Pippa Williams just leading round mark 1
from a big pack. Mike Saul/Sophie Hartley led for a lap but could not
hold the Irish charge as Marshall and Heather King gained an impressive
win from Saul/Hartley second, Allen/Turner sailing an impressive series
in third and Lewis/Parsons fourth.
Carveth/Willan with a 7th and 5th in the last two races now hold a 7
point lead overall although with the potential of 3 more races on the
final day the chasing 3 boats still could still win.
Day 3
Thick Sea Fog Causes all racing to be abandoned�
The fleet awoke this morning to the sight of North Berwick clouded in
thick fog. Principal Race Officer Jim Sinclair postponed racing and
despite the weather onshore clearing up - with sun glasses and shorts
order of the day- the scene out to sea failed to improve.
At 2 o�clock Jim Sinclair took the difficult decision to abandon racing
for the day. The series continues with three races scheduled for the
next two days but the earlier start time of 11:30 is not proving popular
with some awesome socials planned for the next two days.
Day 1
94 RS200�s were �treated� to a most erratic day of weather on the first
day of the GUL RS200 National Championships hosted by East Lothian YC in
North Berwick 16 miles east of Edinburgh. Everybody had been practicing
the previous two days in 15-20 knots of breeze from the east which had
produced big rolling waves. The fleet launched into what looked a decent
south east breeze but heavy rain not only made finding the committee boat
tricky but killed the wind.
Race 1 though started after only a short delay in 12 knots of wind but
with the town hidden under slate grey clouds. Geoff Carveth and Jane
Willian were flying up the first beat and survived in the lead when the
wind became very light on the first run with big rolling waves. With the
wind filling back in very unevenly, disappearing, reappearing for the
next two laps the front of the fleet closed right up. Carveth/Willan
still led at the start of the final run but Lee Sydenham/ Anne Vaudrey
appeared to gain the early advantage by sinking lower. A number of boats
gybed very early and John Greenland/Pippa Williams found good pressure to
take the lead. Tom and Jo Hewitson hung out on the port side longer and
took full advantage of new pressure to jump from sixth to first at the
finish with Greenland/Williams second, Sydenham/Vaudrey third and
Carveth/Willan fourth.
The weather now became truly gruesome with a huge downpour and zero
visibility; ideal for sitting around in. It was still raining when race 2
started but at least we had a vague idea of where the windward mark was.
Mercifully there was decent 15 knot breeze which stayed very constant
throughout the 4 lap race. Carveth/Willan again had a great first beat to
just lead from defending National Champions David Giles/Fiona Clark and
Jon Lewis/Milly Parsons. Carveth again led for three more laps but could
not shake off the chasing pack. Sarah Allen/Elaine Turner had been making
steady progress from a first mark rounding of 9th and Sarah was in good
position to attack her boyfriends lead on the last half of the final
beat. The last two gybes into the final leeward mark saw her grab the
inside berth and a very sweet victory with Carveth having to settle for
second. Ian Pickard/Noelle Vidal had also made good progress and a star
final run saw them grab third from Sydenham/Vaudrey.
Carveth/Willan have the early advantage, a point ahead of
Sydenham/Vaudrey but a lot is going to happen in the next few days. The
weather has a few more tricks to play and there is huge depth in this
fleet.
Day 2
The word awesome can be over used when it comes to sailing conditions but
believe me the second day of the GUL RS200 Nationals at North Berwick was
a truly an awesome day. It may still be have been a very grey day,
although with no rain but a spanking 18-20 knot breeze from due east gave
superb waves and the sort of action downwind that will be talked about
for some time.
The early part of race 3 proved to be controversial. Geoff Carveth/Jane
Willan led round the windward mark from a close pack but could not find
the spreader mark and stayed very high. The spreader mark had in fact
disappeared downwind with an anchorage problem and a RIB was trying to be
the mark. Eventually everyone just popped their kites and went for a real
burn although many of the leaders got carried away went passed the lay
line and came back in on to tight a reach. Tom and Jo Hewitson spotted
this and gybed inside the leading pack and jumped into the lead. They led
for the next 3 laps with James Stewart/Sam Littlejohn in very close
company. Mike Saul/Sophie Hartley took the lead for a very short period
on the final run but the Hewitson�s grabbed the lead back on the final
gybe to win from Saul, Jon Lewis/Milly Parsons and Stewart/Littlejohn.
As this report is being written there are three protests for redress for
the confusion over lack of spreader mark which could have a major bearing
on results.
Race 4 was opened by pathfinder Sarah Allen/Elaine Turner in 18 knots.
Carveth/Willan again led but lost out on lap 2 to David Giles/Fiona
Clark. In their own words the Giles/Clark team cocked it up and dropped
to 5th. Carveth/Willan now made no mistake and at last won a race having
led all four races for long periods. Steve Dunn/Rachel Jones sailed an
excellent race to power in second with Sydenham/Vaudrey third and
Lewis/Parsons fourth.
There are many broken bodies recovering around the town of North Berwick
but all with many a tale to tell tonight. Carveth/Willan lead overnight
with 7 pts but with a whole group in close company and a lot is still
going to happen in this championship.
1 19 854 Lee Sydenham Anne Vaudry Stokes Bay SC 3 4 RDG(3) 3 14 1 8
2 1 2 19.00 G-C
2 66 751 Geoff Carveth Jane Willan Littleton SC 4 2 RDG(2) 1 1 7 5
3 3 3 19.00 G
3 34 753 David Giles Fiona Clark Weir Wood SC 5 6 5 5 2 5 11 1 6 7
35.00 G-M
4 46 858 Jonathan Lewis Milly Parsons Burghfield SC 17 7 3 4 11 4 4
4 25 1 38.00 G
5 52 772 Tom Hewitson Jo Hewitson Royal Northern Clyde YC 1 10 1 10
5 2 6 10 23 5 40.00 G-C
6 69 789 Steve Dunn Rachel Jones Bristol Corinthian YC 9 5 RDG(5) 2
4 14 19 13 2 11 51.00 G-C
7 17 994 Mike Saul Sophie Hartley Grimwith SC 7 11 2 9 10 21 2 29
15 4 60.00 G-J
8 82 900 Hamish Calder S. Rhys--Jones Royal Highland YC 6 9 8 7 9 6
9 12 8 19 62.00 G-C
9 49 845 James Stewart Sam Littlejohn Stokes Bay SC 15 15 4 6 6 3
17 RDG(10) 10 16 69.00 G-J
10 65 771 Marshall King Heather King Royal St George YC 13 14 7 17
7 20 1 6 13 9 70.00 G
11 41 880 Sarah Allan Elaine Turner Royal Southern Y C 24 1 10 12
12 9 3 11 17 14 72.00 G-L
12 86 491 John Greenland Pippa Williams Hayling Island SC 2 12 21
13 3 10 10 22 4 22 75.00 G
13 1 777 Peter Vincent Eluned Jones Bristol Corinthian YC 27 8 18
14 8 8 16 24 5 12 89.00 G
14 56 808 Sarah Taylor Sheena Craig Bristol Corinthian YC 39 18 11
8 13 12 7 9 16 13 89.00 G-L
15 2 927 Trudie Danbury Graeme Ryder Bristol Corinthian YC 8 19 26
16 23 22 20 5 7 6 103.00 G-L
16 57 901 Ian Pickard Noelle Vidal Bristol Corinthian YC 28 3 14 22
26 16 13 32 19 10 123.00 G
17 20 983 Vince Horey Jane Wade Fishers Green SC 23 21 15 20 25 13
14 21 12 8 124.00 G-C
18 63 821 Colin Staite Jane Sutor Bartley SC 12 16 16 15 15 18 24
25 28 17 133.00 G
19 35 796 Hamish Walker Caroline Eyre R N S A 11 17 36 24 29 15 15
15 18 20 135.00 G
20 36 941 Mike Chapman Sheridan R Wembley SC 38 54 9 46 21 11 12 16
14 15 136.00 G-M
21 40 962 Andrew Peters Jeraldine Peters King & Queen Y C 26 30 17
18 24 17 22 17 9 34 150.00 G-C
22 59 977 Ronald Millar Jane Furness Dalgety Bay SC 25 13 19 DNC 30
27 DNC 7 11 29 161.00 G
23 51 954 Matt Davies Dottie Cormack Hayling Island SC 10 20 23 41
27 25 21 34 22 21 169.00 G
24 47 516 Richard Evans Robbie Burns Chanonry SC 19 29 12 11 18 35
18 38 37 46 179.00 G-M
25 21 813 Paul Plested Sharon Plested Winsford Flash SC 14 51 30 28
48 37 25 8 35 23 200.00 S-C
26 50 947 Melissa Storey Lucy Matthews Littletons SC 46 28 55 34 22
19 41 14 24 27 209.00 S-L
27 54 896 Sue Antonelli Jo Lloyd Littleton SC 21 38 29 DNC 39 26 37
18 29 18 216.00 G-L
28 43 998 Sarah Robertson Kate Mitchell Dalgety Bay SC 31 26 44 25
20 36 23 28 32 49 221.00 B-L-M
29 67 888 Andrew Hartley Eve Hartley Ripon SC 34 48 22 30 42 29 31
19 40 24 229.00 S-M-C
30 15 852 Patrick Altoft Deborah Greenland Ripon SC 30 DNC 25 23 34
31 34 31 26 30 230.00 G-C
31 23 743 Andi Riley Julie Marsden Stewartby Water SC 36 22 27 29
17 40 55 27 61 41 239.00 S-C
32 39 345 Karen Baker Emma Roberts Tynemouth SC 33 27 46 27 51 32
45 30 21 26 241.00 S-L
33 3 920 Mark Harrison Tom Olden Gurnard SC 44 35 28 19 33 23 26 48
36 50 244.00 S-M-J
34 88 840 Martin English Zara Flynn Redesmere S C 20 37 20 21 35 43
49 33 50 40 249.00 G
35 81 689 Kirsty Mcseveney Ali Davies St Mary's Loch SC 22 23 37 36
41 24 28 41 58 57 252.00 G-L
36 5 935 Ben Alexander Liz Alexander Deben YC 40 44 31 45 43 39 29
20 27 28 257.00 S-C
37 37 620 Ben Lister Natasha Lister Yorkshire Dales S C 60 40 34 31
36 81 42 23 33 43 282.00 S-Y-J
38 11 391 Chris Smith Louise Turner Draycote Water SC 53 45 48 DNC
19 33 30 37 30 42 284.00 S
39 79 847 Johnathan Briggs Amy Holland Winsford Flash SC 54 31 33
40 49 30 36 44 46 52 309.00 S-C
40 25 369 Chris Pilling Natasha Phillips Adams Waveney & Oulton
Broad YC 42 42 35 26 46 55 35 47 56 39 312.00 S-C
41 14 449 Vanda Young Jonathan Jowett Littleton SC 49 25 43 48 65
28 32 36 53 63 314.00 S-L-M-C
42 30 359 Christian Humphrey Emma Clarke Bristol Corinthian YC 37
34 45 47 52 41 33 40 41 47 318.00 S
43 44 866 Bess Homer Kirsty Higgins Dalgety Bay SC 69 33 DNC DNC 45
62 27 26 31 35 328.00 S-L
44 38 841 Jonathan Thompson Rosemary Thompson Ripon SC 48 32 38 35
44 56 DNC 61 48 33 334.00 S-C
45 75 820 Josh Gebhard Tom Jeffery Derwent Reservoir SC 55 46 52 54
31 45 47 42 47 25 335.00 S-Y
46 31 974 Simon J Howell James Rogers Wembley SC 29 36 RTD 37 57 46
51 39 66 44 339.00 S
47 58 783 Douglas Hamilton Kirsty Hamilton Loch Tummel SC DNC DNC
54 44 37 47 39 43 43 32 339.00 B-C
48 77 980 Jackie Gebhard Jessie Gebhard Derwent Reservoir SC DNC 58
42 32 47 54 38 58 34 38 343.00 B-F-M
49 28 544 Katie Masterson Ailsa Redpath St Mary's Loch SC 52 39 DNC
43 38 58 43 56 42 36 349.00 S-L-J
50 74 911 David Gebhard Joric Gebhard Derwent Reservoir SC DNC 49
49 53 50 51 46 DNC 39 31 368.00 S-F-M-J
51 13 895 Bev Jordan David Taylor Draycote Water SC 65 47 51 38 55
42 53 52 44 45 372.00 S-L
52 76 213 Jethro Gebhard Carrina Perkin Derwent Reservoir SC DNC
DNC 47 51 16 48 48 57 54 55 376.00 S
53 8 831 Nigel Furness Jean Furness Draycote Water SC 18 DNC DNC 50
28 34 DNC 50 20 DNC 388.00 S-F-J
54 27 661 Graeme Henry Shona Redpath St Mary's Loch SC 32 DNC 61 52
63 53 52 46 38 56 390.00 S
55 70 5901 Dan Perry Ali Mitchell Newcastle University S C 57 43 40
56 56 50 54 76 51 48 398.00 S
56 73 815 Mick Wright Hannah Grice Maylandsea Bay YC 35 55 DNC 42
53 67 66 35 57 77 410.00 S
57 85 914 Gillian Hooton Jennifer Reekie Dalgety Bay SC 41 52 39 49
80 44 64 53 69 DNC 411.00 S-L
58 89 774 Carolyn Priestley Felicity Bristow Dalgety Bay SC 59 53
DNC 58 54 49 56 DNC 49 37 415.00 S-L
59 7 930 David Redpath Elaine Ross St Mary's Loch SC 43 62 57 59 64
60 40 51 55 DSQ 427.00 S-M
60 18 876 Andy Helm Anne Saul Yorkshire Dales S C DNC DNC 53 67 32
38 DNC 45 52 54 435.00 S
61 90 390 Sarah Meldrum Jessica Copland Dalgety Bay SC 62 61 41 55
69 59 60 67 71 53 458.00 B-L
62 93 314 Jeny Mc Intyre Liz Copland East Lothian YC DNC DNC 58 60
61 57 65 70 45 62 478.00 B
63 64 438 Lynne Ratcliffe Carol Peddlesden Bough Beech SC 45 57 DNC
61 70 69 71 62 59 74 494.00 S-L
64 71 202 Joanna Dixon Vicki Simpson Largs SC 66 67 DNC 64 40 77 61
63 73 66 500.00 BL
65 29 623 E John Wilcox Ben Wilcox East Lothian YC 61 56 DNC DNC 71
52 70 55 80 59 504.00 B-F-J
66 60 310 Peter Craggs Phil Nelson York Railway Institute SC 64 60
56 63 62 61 72 69 74 69 504.00 B
67 24 379 Andy Young Sam Young Scaling Dam SC 58 59 DNC DNC 73 66
73 49 63 64 505.00 B-C
68 83 651 Douglas Maxwell Camilla Oakley Wembley SC 51 65 DNF DNF
59 70 57 71 67 68 508.00 B-M
69 22 806 Jane Robertson Eric Robertson East Lothian YC 68 69 60 57
74 75 74 59 65 58 510.00 B-L-M-C
70 84 355 Iain McGonigal Lindsay Doig East Lothian YC 56 RTD DNC
RTD 79 65 44 54 60 65 517.00 S-M
71 62 437 Kim Ross Laura Sandison East Lothian YC DNC 73 67 69 58
82 50 66 70 71 524.00 B-Y
72 10 686 Wayne Fletcher Debra Fletcher Scaling Dam SC 47 24 50 39
DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC 536.00 S-C
73 68 863 Alan Perry Jackie Dyer Wembley SC DNC 76 65 70 60 72 58
73 62 DSQ 536.00 B-M
74 80 981 Grace Nicholson Joseph Nicholson Pennine SC 67 75 DNC DNC
67 83 59 60 68 60 539.00 B-L-Y-J
75 16 835 Charles Muir Jane Sands Datchet Water SC 50 50 32 33 DNC
DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC 541.00 S-C
76 48 902 Alan Knott Janet Knott Pennine SC 70 68 66 DNC 77 79 RDG
(46) 78 78 61 544.00 B-M-C
77 87 664 Nick Ironside Ruaridh Buchan Clyde Cruising Club 71 71 63
DNC 68 68 69 68 76 72 550.00 B-J
78 6 257 Sally Denchfield Nigel Denchfield Stewartby Water SC 63 74
DNC 66 72 78 78 74 75 67 569.00 B-L-F-Y
79 9 240 Anthony Witham Mandie Neal Bexhill on Sea SC DNC DNC 62 62
75 76 76 72 77 75 575.00 B-F-M
80 55 716 Jenny Bailey Holly Gray Rotherham SC DNC 63 RTD DNC 66 71
67 75 81 76 593.00 B-L-Y-J
81 45 214 Gerry Mulligan Gabrielle Igoe Greystones SC 76 77 64 68
76 DNC 80 79 82 79 599.00 B-M-C
82 72 948 Jeremy Paterson Peter Franklin Littleton SC 75 DNC 59 65
81 80 79 80 83 DSQ 602.00 B
83 94 844 John Blundell Chris Blundell Hallamshire 16 41 DNC RTD
DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC 621.00 G
84 53 89 Chris Moore Matt Giles Redesmere S C 72 72 DNC DNC DNC DNC
DNC 65 72 70 633.00 B
85 12 893 Ross Roberts Heather Moss Budworth S C DNC DNC DNC DNC
DNC DNC DNC 64 64 51 649.00 B-C
86 33 383 Paul Goodwin Jodi Dyer Bristol Corinthian YC DNC 66 DNC
DNC 78 74 62 DNC DNC DNC 656.00 B
87 91 781 Stuart Swaby Rachael Bonfield Milton Keynes SC DNC DNC
DNC DNC RTD 73 77 77 79 73 661.00 B-C
88 61 543 Sheila Smith Leslie Symon East Lothian YC 73 64 DNC DNC
DNC DNC DNC 81 84 78 662.00 B-M
89 92 352 Nicola Davies Joanna Mc Caldin Dalgety Bay SC DNC DNC DNC
DNC OCS 63 63 DNC DNC DNC 690.00 B
90 4 697 Toby Peacock Sarah Peacock Chew Valley Lake SC DNC DNC DNC
DNC DNC 64 68 DNC DNC DNC 696.00 B-C
91 78 917 Daniel Oakes Gemma Frohlich Army Sailing Association 74
70 DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC 708.00 B
92 26 984 Nigel Harniman Emma Harniman Wembley SC DNC DNC DNC DNC
DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC 752.00 B-C
92 32 905 Michael Burgoine Jo Field Draycote Water SC DNC DNC DNC
DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC 752.00 B-M