Scorpion Open:

Autumn Championship;
Notts County SC 7 and 8 October 2006-10-10
Graham Sheard.

On a weekend of traditions in Nottingham with the Goose Fair in full swing the Scorpion fleet arrived for the Autumn Championship and promptly dispensed with the long held practice of sailing in flights. Forty three Scorpions took to the water at Notts County for the final Grand Prix event of the year in a Westerly F3/4 on Saturday sailing 3 races back to back. All races started on a line as a single fleet.

Early leaders in the first race were Tom Jeffcoate and Andy Smith followed by Dave Wade and Ben Rayner. A capsize for the latter and spinnaker problems for the former allowed Dave Woodhead and Jerry Hannabus through to the front. There they remained after a close battle with Tom Jeffcoate and Andy Smith with Dave Wade and Ben Rayner coming in third.

The second race was a comfortable win for Wade and Rayner with Richard and Sarah Mason and Barry and Linda Wolfenden in early contention but after both pushing hard enough to capsize allowed Tom Jeffcoate and Dave Woodhead through to take second and third places.

Race three and Tom Jeffcoate pulled away in to clear air and stayed away followed by the Wolfendens for most of the race but they finally slipped to fourth place being passed on the final beat by Dave Wade, second and Dave Woodhead third. Sunday and with additional boats making 47 in the fleet all started together on the line again. The wind had backed to a shifting Southerly and eased to F2/3 giving the Race Officer, John Allen (NCSC), some problems which were passed on to the fleet with those interesting decisions about should we, shouldn't we on the spinnaker reaches. Those that did and survived the gusts went well; some of the others went in!

Tim Parsons and Sarah Maguire sailed into first place in race 4 having spent Saturday getting the measure of the Notts County Lake. They were pursued closely by Dave Wade who overtook Richard and Sarah to finish in Second and third, after moving through from fifth on lap 1, were Barry and Linda Wolfenden.

Race 5 was a procession for Dave Wade, first and Tim Parsons, second, but Richard Mason battled through from fifth on laps 1 and 2 to finish third displacing Flannagan and Barr who slipped to fifth behind Dave Woodhead and Jerry Hannabus.

The final race took set off on a reset course, but continued the spinnaker decisions, and strangely the race confirmed the overall final placings for 1,2 and 3. Dave Wade and Ben Rayner first on every lap followed by Tom Jeffcoate and Andy Smith who were followed in turn by Tim Parsons and Sarah Maguire.

There were 7 juniors racing in the fleet with prizes for first helm going to William Twemlow who disrupted a clean sweep for the Rose boys Thomas, first crew with John and Andrew the first combo. The first lady helm was Carol Haines with Sarah Maguire adding to her prizes as first lady crew.

It was quite interesting at the back of the fleet too. Mike Holme and Jayne Clancy taking the tenacity prize having finished all the races, the first three without a spinnaker which split on race 1. Everyone was followed home by Graham Sheard and Gillian Lambourne who, as fleet captain at NCSC, felt it was his responsibility to make sure everyone got back to the bank safely.

The flightless activity was much appreciated by everyone. Although there were several heard declaring they must learn how to get a better start in such circumstances.

Dinner for 85 on Saturday night was a challenge that Pauline and Chris took in their stride, roast beef and so many vegetables there was hardly any room on the plate for the Yorkshire puddings and gravy. The Silver Scorpion prizes were also presented at Notts County. This trophy goes to the crew with the best results for the travelling series through the season. Consistent to a fault all year has been Tom Jeffcoate and Andy Smith (not that Andy Smith another one) and they took the prize with another good result at the front of the fleet. Thanks of course to everyone who made the event memorable. The racing was tough on the courses set, the safety crews were buzzing and busy, especially with their Spitfire afterwards. The bar was somewhat depleted at the end of the night too. Thanks to the folks who busied themselves there and congratulations on ensuring everyone got away for a sleep at some time during the night.

1st 2003 Pin Box Dave Wade Ben Rayner Northants SC,
2nd 1986 Secret Squirrel Tom Jeffcoate Andy Smith Notts County SC,
3rd 1962 In The Bag Tim Parsons Sarah Maguire Lyme Regis SC ,
4th 1947 Angel Dust Dave Woodhead Jerry Hannabus Elton SC,
5th 1987 Les Coulles des Chien Nigel Potter Simon Hibbert Notts County SC ,
6th 1997 Peaches Richard Mason Sarah Mason Notts County SC