After an absence due to Covid the Notts County Sailing Club First of the Year Race for the Geoff Parker Memorial trophy and Phil Davies Memorial trophy took place on a very warm new years day on record (14’C). The £350 entry fee will be donated to Nottinghamshire Mind there were over 40 entries.

Whilst the temperature made it feel like a warm spring day, the water was considerably colder. The keen Southerly winds gusted at 28 mph, and averaged 14mph so there was plenty of action and quite a few spills keeping the safety cover busy.

As it was warm the spectators could watch from the open air balcony in comfort, and with food available it proved an excellent day of sailing.

After a briefing outside Race Officer Ken Twemlow set an interesting course with two beats and plenty of runs and reaches. The first race was windier and all the fleets got of to clean starts. It was soon apparent who the leaders were with Jamie Mawson (Notts County) dominating in his RS600, and Fireball Kevin Hope (Notts County) returning after a shoulder operation with Andy Stewart in second along with Pete & Rachel Gray (Staunton) in a Scorpion to complete the fast fleet leaders.

The Slow fleet saw the juniors and youths dominate with 420s, lasers, Aeros, Solos all near the top. Sam Grayton and Raife Piggott (Notts County) winning in their 420 and also winning the Junior prize, Joe Scurrah was next in a laser radial (Carsington), with Andy Ritchie from Hyekham third in an OK.

Windsurfers were represented by Ian Pilkington from Notts County who won the windsurfing trophy.

Prizegiving was with a depleted audience with many understandably leaving after racing to avoid mixing, they had had the fun on the water.

The next event is the start of the Midlands Mini series at the end of January.

Overall results

Photos below (100 so a few to get through !)