Kingsmead SC Open 25th April 2004

The second event in the 04 Southern Traveller Series was sailed at Kingsmead 04. In hot and almost breathless conditions, the eleven boats experienced a frustrating day more appropriate to sun bathing than racing.

Race one saw the race officer set a course making use of most areas of the lake, with the hope that the fleet may find wind somewhere. National Squad members, Tom Robinson and Shaun Mason, demonstrated great skill and patience to lead the race from the first mark to the shortened finish, pulling out a considerable lead as they made the most of the occasional breathes of wind. The rest of the fleet enjoyed some very close racing, with many large place changes experienced by most. In the end light weather guru, Ron Vass and Ed Nicholls took second place from Adam Meekings and Alex Watts.

With still no sign of any decent wind, the race officer set a simpler and shorter course. Again Tom and Shaun eased away, managing to keep their boat moving most of the time to take the second race. Again Ron and Ed were second, with singlehander Kevin Hastings moving up to third place.

The last race was delayed until a light breeze filled in, which promptly died at the start. Tom and Shaun, and many of the fleet sat out this race, leaving 6 boats to battle out for the remaining prizes. The race was won by Kevin Hastings, who subsequently retired after realising he missed a mark. This gave junior sailors, Adam Meekings and Alex Watts a well deserved win, with Ron and Ed again second, their sixth second place in a row in the 2004 Southern Traveller series. Father and son team, Jon and Jake Bonsor of Warsash achieved an excellent third place.

Many thanks to the Kingsmead Race Team, who managed to complete all three races in the trying conditions, this certainly helped to resolve the many tie breakers across the fleet.

The Mirror Southern Traveller Series consists of twelve events on inland and coastal waters, many are supported by training days.