Catapult TT Racing Reports
Bala gala event: Bala Lake, July 25th-27th
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Results and Reports 2008
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The fun races are what made this year’s Bala Gala so memorable and kept the 16 sailors smiling through a wet and windy middle day of this three day event over the weekend of 25-27 July.
First off was the pairs race, where those who class themselves as
improvers were paired with expert racers. The purpose was to provide
on-the-water coaching, by stipulating that the expert had to finish
behind the improver. The remaining sailors were also paired up and
had to nominate which one of them had to finish first.
The relay race the next day provided some major laughs. The four
teams were led by improvers whose team mates were drawn by lots.
Stuart Ede of Richard’s Rebels was first off – literally – when he
correctly worked out that three sound signals one minute apart meant
a two minute countdown sequence, not three minutes as the other
starters assumed. Stuart will be offering remedial maths classes at
the next event.
An impromptu pairs race, where the pairings
were drawn entirely by lot and there was no prescribed finishing
order, saw Nigel Harrison and Stuart Ede snatch a win by the
narrowest of margins. Stuart had built up a long lead, but the
chasing pack were in hand-to-hand combat all the way round. Up the
last beat Justin Evans and Neal Graneau were in race winning 2nd
and 3rd places. However, as the gun went three times in
quick succession, George Evans just pipped Neal at the line, which
left the pair on equal points with Stuart and Nigel, who were able
to claim the win on tie break.
Travellers Trophy Races
The first TT race on Saturday saw Gareth Ede narrowly ahead of Paul
Ellis at the windward mark. Gareth lengthened his lead over the next
two laps, while behind Paul a close fought duel for third place was
won by Cliff Antill from Stuart Ede.
Paul Ellis got away from the fleet in Race 4, while behind the order
changed constantly. The final result was determined on the last beat
as the fleet struggled to stay upright through a blinding squall.
Cliff Antill claimed second place and George Evans third.
The final outcome was decided by Race 5 on Monday, sailed in a gusty Force 4. An over enthusiastic start by Paul Ellis and Alastair Forrest left them in mid fleet, allowing Stuart Ede to lead at the first windward mark. Downwind John Peperell and Nigel Harrison took advantage of a prolonged gust to catch Stuart, while a late charge by Paul Ellis enabled him to round inside at the leeward mark and snatch the lead.
These four were still in close proximity, with the rest of the fleet
closing fast, as they approached the leeward mark on the last lap.
An involuntary gybe caused Stuart to clout the mark with his tiller
extension, which cost him a penalty turn, but he was back on John’s
and Nigel’s tails after a screaming reach. Stuart’s tack for the
left end of the line nearly caught out Paul, who came back to win by
a nose, but it did give Stuart second place ahead of Nigel and John.
Paul’s win assured his position as winner of the Bala TT, and
Stuart’s second in the last race lifted him to second overall ahead
his son Gareth, who had to miss the last day owing to work
commitments.
The fun afloat was matched by the fun ashore, as Bala Cat Club laid on ‘High Sheeparral’, a wild west themed evening with a bucking bronco that was the downfall of many a would-be cowpoke. And a convivial meal at a local hostelry on the last evening rounded off a perfect event sending everyone home with a broad smile on their face.
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