 |
||
 |
|
|
Scorpion Junior
SCORPION JUNIOR OPEN @ NOTTS COUNTY SC – 25TH JULY 2010
A fleet of 8 local boats including one visiting team assembled at NCSC on 25th July for the Scorpion Junior Open. The lake resembled the proverbial mill pool with the odd ripple here and there.
Race Officers John and Joyce Henderson fortunately brought a box of wind with them in their campervan and by the time the ancient Coble had been positioned for the Noon start it was a steady 8 mph, just perfect for juniors, amongst which were some complete novices and first time helms.
Claire Coupeland crewing for Nadina Lincoln in 1902 reached windward first in race 1 but were quickly overtaken on the first reach by junior helm Rebecca Ogden with Penny Jeffcoate in Nadinas own boat 1985. They were to hold this lead until the end of the race.
A big wind shift in lap 2 saw a number of position changes and some very close racing towards the end. Isobel Reynolds crewing for the “shiftmaster” John Marshall in 1989 sailed a steady race to move through and take second place. Amy Clay sailing the beautifully restored 1919 with the six foot plus frame of Nicki Theokritoff crunched up in the front took 3rd. Visitors Luke and Peter Hardy from Wanlip SC in 2000, sailing a Scorpion for only the second time made good progress throughout only to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory by having one of those “sheets under the boat, round the back of the board, then up the centreboard case” moments.
Performance of the race was young Matt Reynolds who despite relative novicity (if that’s a word!) was allowed by Paul Barnes to helm 2011 and made a fine job of a) keeping upright and b) completing the course.
After a break for lunch races 2 and 3 were sailed back to back. In race 2 Rebecca and Penny were first to the windward mark and held a tight spinnaker reach to open up a commanding lead which they again held until the end. The wind had freshened to a maximum of 15 mph and experienced adult helm Paul Barnes had taken over the stick in 2011 only to be caught out by the squall resulting in a capsize which filled the tanks with water – should have done the hatches up Paul! Junior crew Grace Fielding with Tony Dunsworth in 1929 also retired but commendably they had earlier been “having a go” with the kite and to good effect. The Hardys sailed the reaches well to move into second place but unfamiliarity with the NCSC marks led to a 2 place slip as they lost their bearings. John and Isobel again took 2nd and Amy and Nickki made it a duplicate 1, 2, 3.
In race 3 1989 decided to sit it out with kicker problems but 2011 and 1929 returned after repairs. In an exciting start sequence 2000 decided to capsize for good measure but righted with little drama. 1985 again took windward honours but the rest of the fleet was all very close. First time helm Alex Hughes with Graham Sheard in 1835 was well in the mix. After a sluggish first lap, probably due to being swamped from the capsize 2000 started to pick up and in an excellent second beat recovered 4 places into 2nd place. It all got very close again at the leeward rounding with some great boat handling skills on display.
1985 led through to the gun, 2000 nervously held second after a strong challenge from 1902 but a problem at the penultimate mark saw them lose a couple of places. Amy and Nik took a swim at the gybe mark to bring up the rear in an uncharacteristic 7th
Full results all NCSC unless stated
1st 1985 Rebecca Ogden (J) – Penny Jeffcoate
2nd 1989 John Marshall – Isobel Reynolds (J)
3rd 2000 Luke Hardy (J) – Peter Hardy (J) Wanlip SC
4th 1919 Amy Clay (J) – Nicki Theokritoff
5th 1929 Tony Dunsworth – Grace Fielding (J)
6th 1902 Nadina Lincoln – Claire Coupeland (J)
7th 1835 Alex Hughes (J) – Graham Sheard
8th 2011 Matt Reynolds (J) – Paul Barnes