South West Mirror Open & Traveller Series 2003

Latest Rankings <click here>

(Please see club websites and "Message Boards/South West" for Start Times, etc.)

This season we have a fantastic selection of traveller events right across the region. You get the chance to try out some beautiful new sailing areas and to experience the hospitality of the host clubs, plus of course some great competition.

Individual events, apart from RYA Zone Champs, are open to all Mirror sailors, young and old. Parent/child combinations are very welcome.

Each event will normally consist of three races with one discard

South West Traveller Prizes

Although individual events are open to all Mirror sailors, only Mirror Class Association members will be ranked and be eligible for Traveller Prizes. There is no additional entry fee for the series, Association membership is all that is needed.

The overall SW Traveller Series rankings and trophies are for Youth and Junior sailors with the five best event results to count. ie. Up to six discards. DNC points will be recalculated as maximum number of entrants at the most popular event plus two. It will always be better to turn up and have a go (by at least 2 points, normally many more), rather than not turning up. The rankings are dynamic and will be recalculated as people join the Class Association and join the rankings.

First, second and third in overall rankings, plus first, second and third in Junior rankings. (Both helm and crew under 16 on 31 Dec 2002) will receive prizes.

If events are lost due to weather, etc. the the number to count will be reduced:
9 or more events, 5 to count, 8 or 7 events, 4 to count, 6 or 5 events, 3 to count, 5 or 4 events, 2 to count.

'When there is a tie in series points between two or more boats, the points for each race counting towards those series points for each tied boat will be arranged in ascending order and a comparison made of each set of scores, starting with the lowest. When there is a difference, the tie is broken in favour of the boat with the lowest score'

eg. A boat that scores 1 and 3 will beat a boat that scores 2 and 2 although they both have 4 points.

'When a tie remains, it will be broken in favour of the boat or boats with the best score in the last race completed, in which all the tied boats were eligible to sail, or, if a tie still remains, the penultimate race, if necessary, in previous races.'

eg. A boat that scores 7 and 5 will beat a boat that scores 5 and 7 although they both have 12 points

Contact

Please contact Martin Egan, SW Mirror Class Association Rep, on 01326 315774, or e-mail martin.j.egan@tesco.net for further information.

Archive

SW Travellers 2002

SW Travellers 2001

SW Travellers 2000

2003 RANKINGS

DNC = 29 (27 entries at Western Area Championships)
Results calculated counting best 5 events out of 10

Starcross Mirror Open & SW Travellers - 11 May 2003

Looe Mirror Open & SW Travellers - 18 May 2003

Restronguet Mirror Open & SW Travellers - 15 June 2003

20 Mirrors gathered on 15th June for the Restronguet SC Open. The weather was hot and sunny, but the wind was light and very variable in direction as the southerly sea breeze battled with the gradient northerly. The northerly wind died almost completely and swung north west as the first race started in the last of the ebb tide. The majority of the fleet appeared not to notice a big port end bias so Martin Egan & William Currie had loads of space up by the pin ! Liam Arrowsmith & Natalie Atfield made the best start of the group further down the line. The lead swapped several times on the first beat as the wind swung to and fro and came and went. Spotting patches of breeze and being on the correct side of the shifts was vital. At the first mark Megan Baker & Charlie Game were ahead followed by Martin and then Liam. These positions remained unchanged downwind to the leeward mark where the course was shortened.
After lunch race 2 got away in a light northerly but with the flood tide just starting. The wind swung westerly during the first beat allowing boats to reach to the first mark with spinnakers up. Martin led at the mark closely followed by Juliet & Richard Long and then Megan. Judging the approach to the "gybe" mark against the now south-westerly wind and tide was tricky and several boats, unable to make the mark or tack onto port, were forced to gybe around for another attempt. Nick Watson & Josh Laine hit the mark and had to take a penalty turn. Lottie & Sophie Brett capitalized on this situation, judged their approach correctly and went into the lead down the reach to the "leeward" mark. On the run to the "windward" mark the leading group misjudged the current and ended up being swept past it allowing Martin to take the lead on the beat to the "leeward" mark. At this point the race was shortened with boats struggling against the increasing flood and light southerly to beat to the finish. Juliet and Megan who had chosen the right-hand side of the beat were just able to finish before the wind died completely leaving the rest of the fleet unable to cross the line. The breeze then started to fill in slowly from the north-west, but not quickly enough for anybody else to finish inside the time limit.
The last race started in a northerly 2-3. The flood tide pushing boats over the line caught out James Ellis and Carla Sheldon who were adjudged OCS. Martin took the lead from the start with Juliet and Megan in close pursuit. Juliet had better boat speed but slightly misjudged her approaches to the windward mark in the favourable current allowing Martin to cling onto the lead. Once again the race was shortened after two laps and this was the finishing order.
With 3 boats equal on points and equal on count back, the tie was broken on discards placing Megan 1st, Juliet 2nd and Martin 3rd.
My thanks must go Bob Warren for persuading the club to host a Mirror Open & Training Camp when they only have one active Mirror, to OOD Eddie Shelton and his team who did a great job to get 3 races completed in such difficult conditions and to the 19 travelling Mirrors who supported the event.
Martin Egan

Plym YC - Mirror Open & Travellers - 22 June 2003

RYA South West Zone Championships

Chew Valley Lake SC - 28/29 June 2003

Lympstone Mirror Open & Travellers - 6 July 2003

Very tight racing with a nail-biting final race in sunny weather with light winds and a strong tide. In the final race Olly Turner and Sam Game, after a dreadful start, went wide over the shallower water of Lympstone bank and moved from last place to sneak into first place as the rest of the fleet fought the stronger tide and shifting winds inshore. With three boats sharing 4 points, the full tie break system had to be used to determine the first three places.

Why not Join the Association? Membership is very reasonable at £18 for Individual Membership, £20 for a whole family, (no joining fee), and you will receive our comprehensive Year Book plus the Class Magazine "Reflections" twice a year plus regular News Updates. Join now and help us support the Class!

For an Association Membership Pack please email the Membership Secretary eclcooke@aol.com with your name and address. Or write to: MCA Membership Secretary, Liz Cooke, 90 Queensmead, Bredon, Tewkesbury, Glos GL20 7NE. (Tel: 01684 772552)

Download the MCA Membership Application Form (Click Here)

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