20/10/09 - Tough time for yachts but successful for local pilots!
The first regatta in the 2009/10 British Land Yacht championship was
held at Bassingbourn Barracks over the weekend of 17th — 18th
October.
With light winds and cool temperatures, the conditions were
challenging for pilots and spectators alike. Bacon sandwiches and a
hot cups of tea seemed to keep the spectators happy though! For the
pilots, light winds are always a good test of the skills, especially
for those who are less experienced.
The racing was very tightly contested in all classes (3,
5 and Standart) throughout the weekend with some dramatic events
putting the top runner's positions in doubt.
Anglia club member and Class 3 pilot, Garry Cavaliero ripped a sail
mid race which forced his retirement. Before the next race he was
able to change to his old back-up sail which according to fellow
club member David Allen "looked like cheap toilet paper". Cavaliero
seemed untroubled by the light-hearted dig or the performance his
old sail, finishing a very strong 3rd place overall. In the final
race, current British Class 3 champion, Guilden Morden's Steve
Borrill, damaged his steering and was forced to retire. Luckily,
this did not affect his position and he finished 2nd place overall.
With a couple of fast brand new yachts in the field, Borrill will
have to be on his guard this season. One of those new yachts is
owned by Class 3 winner, Gareth Rowlands.
The Class 5 pilot and current world champion, Tim Spears won this
event with consistent sailing and no mechanical faults. Current
joint British champion, Rob Collins suffered 3 separate punctures
over the weekend. After two wins in earlier races, the start of his
2009/10 season was looking promising. Then came a retirement due to
a puncture and a poorer finish in another race — the pressure was on
(but not on his tyres). One race in which he was leading, he
suffered two punctures and made a dramatic wheel-change, mid-race
with the assistance of his unofficial pit crew — spectators and
pilots from other classes. It was reminiscent of F1 racing, with
other yachts sailing past, each one was another position lost for
Collins. Some mixed results for Collins, but a promising 2nd place
overall. After consistent finishing, Mark Sidey finished in 3rd
place. As Sidey and Collins are currently joint British champions,
every race of every regatta is going to be hotly contested between
these two pilots.
In the Standart Class, which is a one-design class ie. no yachts can
vary in design or specification, the honours were taken by Yorkshire
pilot, Martin Leach. As for the other classes, the racing was close.
The lead changed several times in the early races until Leach
finally stamped his authority to leave no doubt who was boss! Anglia
club member, John Pickstone had several pleasing results, finishing
his most successful regatta in 2nd place. He changed one of his
wheels when at a pre-race check he noticed cracks appearing. This
was due to rough conditions encountered at the recent European
championships in Germany. Fellow Anglia club member Rhys Davies who
finished 3rd in the regatta will be looking to improve on this
position over the season, especially as he finished 2nd overall in
the 2008/09 season.
Although the yachts had a tough time, it was a successful weekend
for local pilots and Anglia Land Yacht club members. Anglia club
members finished 2nd and 3rd in Class 3; 1st 2nd and 3rd in Class 5;
2nd and 3rd in Standart Class. We shall see over the 2009/10
season if these results weren't just the home
advantage!
David Allen
Results
Class 3
1 - Gareth Rowland, 2 - Steve Borrill, 3 - Garry Cavaliero
Class 5
1 - Tim Spears, 2 - Rob Collins, 3 - Mark Sidey
Class Standart
1 - Martin Leach, 2 - John Pickstone, 3 - Rhys Davies
Event pics - courtesy of
Richard Austin
Class 3
Class 5 and Standart
|
