|
 With
a resurgence in interest for Mirrors in the Kent area, Whitstable
hosted a highly successful and popular weekend for the class
on 1st/2nd May.
Saturday was devoted to an Open Coaching session with the
aim of improving race performance across the fleet. Despite
the poor weather, top coaches, Sam Carter and Craig Bond were
able to run a very productive day, with a good balance of
shore and water based exercises. For everyone this was a great
opportunity to get help from the class expe rts in setting-up
their boats and sharing ideas with the fleet. Also in attendance
was RYA HPM, Bruce Bonar, talent spotting for potential SE
Mirror Zone Squad sailors.
The Sunday Open Meeting saw eighteen boats entered, with several
of the Mirror stalwarts participating, the scene was set for
a close battle. With the forecast of moderate winds, the fleet
launched in a light wind hopeful of a good day's racing. It
soon became apparent that the sea breeze was struggling in
it's battle a gainst the gradient breeze, so the decision
was made to tow the fleet to the start area and postpone till
the wind had settled. After about half an hour, there was
some wind to race, Race Officer Mike Fitzpatrick and his team
got the starting sequence under way. Unfortunately by the
one minute, the wind had died and shifted back meaning few
could even lay the line, wisely the signal was made to send
the fleet ashore for an early lunch.
The afternoon bought just sufficient wind to allow two races
and progress against the strong tide. Race 1, saw Craig Bond
make a perfect start at the pin end, with clear wind and more
tide, quickly arrived at the windward mark first. With tide
now on the nose, the reach was a slow and drawn out affair,
allowing the fleet to compress by the gybe mark. With inside
berths both Tom Clementson and Graham Williamson managed to
get through Craig. With the direction and strength of the
tide, the downwind legs were to prove the key part of the
c ourse, in the end Guy Wilkins made the most of the conditions
to take the race from Tom, with Craig third.
Race 2 saw considerable chaos at the Pin End after all the
fleet had now seen the benefit of starting here. Tom Clementson
made the perfect escape, and built a healthy lead to the finish.
In their first Mirror event and the crew's first ever race,
John and Thomas Walton also made an excellent start. With
challenging tactical decisions and close racing, the rest
of the fleet saw many place changes. With Tom winning, Guy
Wilkins took second place from local Mark Barnes.
With only two races and no discards, both Tom and Guy were
tied on 3 points, on count back this gave Tom first place
overall from Guy. Craig Bond was third, and the Darling sisters
fourth and first junior.
For many this was their first experience of an Open Meeting
and it was very satisfying to see after the previous day's
training a high standard throughout the fleet, with everyone
crossing the start within three seconds. Many thanks to Whitstable
for hosting a great weekend.
Overall Results:
| Pos |
Sail No |
Helm |
Crew |
Club |
R1 |
R2 |
Pts |
Notes |
|
1
|
69164
|
Tom Clementson
|
James Clementson
|
Chipstead
|
2 |
1 |
3
|
|
|
2
|
39508
|
Guy Wilkins
|
Jo Wilkins
|
Chipstead
|
1 |
2 |
3
|
|
|
3
|
70281
|
Craig Bond
|
Mitchell Bond
|
Brightlingsea
|
3 |
6 |
9
|
|
|
4
|
70216
|
Alice Darling
|
Jilli Darling
|
Itchenor
|
5 |
4 |
9
|
1st Junior
|
|
5
|
70252
|
Graham Williamson
|
Jeremy Williamson
|
Papercourt
|
4 |
7 |
11
|
|
|
6
|
70166
|
Chris Swinchatt
|
Christopher Swinchatt
|
Chipstead
|
6 |
5 |
11
|
|
|
7
|
70233
|
Mark Barnes
|
Hamish Kilburn
|
Whitstable
|
9 |
3 |
12
|
|
|
8
|
69891
|
David Conlon
|
Chris Rust
|
Brightlingsea
|
8 |
8 |
16
|
2nd Junior
|
|
9
|
70154
|
Simon Lovesey
|
James Lovesey
|
Warsash
|
7 |
10 |
17
|
|
|
10
|
12890
|
James Thomas
|
Evan Goodrum
|
Tankerton
|
11 |
9 |
20
|
3rd Junior
|
|
11
|
70102
|
Tom Lovesey
|
Emily Hampton-Mathews
|
Warsash
|
10 |
12 |
22
|
4th Junior
|
|
12
|
70234
|
Jack Kilburn
|
Tom Pasco
|
Whitstable
|
12 |
11 |
23
|
|
|
13
|
67810
|
Austin Sculley
|
K Higgs
|
Whitstable
|
13 |
13 |
26
|
|
|
14
|
32763
|
Lauren Blades
|
Tim Blade
|
Whitstable
|
15 |
15 |
30
|
|
|
15
|
54243
|
Charlotte Blowcroft
|
Crew
|
Whitstable
|
18 |
14 |
32
|
|
|
16
|
70230
|
John Walton
|
Thomas Walton
|
Whitstable
|
14 |
DNF |
33
|
|
|
17
|
55519
|
Rhiahnon Willmot
|
Stewrt Willmot
|
Whitstable
|
17 |
16 |
33
|
|
|
18
|
38291
|
Edmund Lamb
|
Siobham Lamb
|
Whitstable
|
16 |
DNF |
35
|
|
Results generated and submitted using Sailwave sailing scoring software
|
