Catapult Nationals and TT:  Lake Bala: 7th-9th August  2010


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    Newcomer John Terry sent a shiver through the fleet of 13 Catapults assembled at Bala Cat Club over the 7-9 August long weekend, when he won the first two races in a shifty Force 2. However, 2009 champion Paul Ellis finally established his mastery to retain the trophy. 

catapults at bala

  The racing                                (and click here for the Unofficial Report and Fun Race results)

In Race 1, George Evans was first to the windward, but John T overtook downwind. A good beat on Lap 2 helped Paul to the front at the windward mark just ahead of George, Gareth Ede and John. However, John and Gareth got through downwind to take the first two places from Paul and George. The racing was so close that the first 7 boats all finished within two minutes.


John T was leading Race 3 when a hull leak forced his retirement. Gareth took over at the front and built a large lead, only to get stuck in a hole at the last windward mark. Paul caught up and then sneaked ahead downwind. These two duelled all the way to the line with Paul just taking the gun. George took third.


bala racing




At one stage in Race 4 Gareth had a large lead, but it evaporated as the wind died and the chasing pack led by Paul caught up downwind. To hang on to victory Gareth had to tack close inshore on the beat for the line and just managed to cross it ahead by taking out a daggerboard before running aground in front of the race committee! Cliff came in third.


In Race 5, Paul, Justin Evans and John T got away from the fleet at the first windward mark. The chasing pack caught Justin downwind, but Paul and John got away again. Gareth gave chase but could not overtake Paul and John who took first and second. Tony Costall had a great last beat to grab fourth.


Going into Race 6, Paul had a one point lead over Gareth, and these two fought toe-to-toe all the way round in a gusty force 3 with John T adding some spice to the combat. In a surprise charge on the last beat George came through to pip John for third, but Paul confirmed his champion status by taking his third race win from Gareth.


Overall results:

1st           Paul Ellis         (Marconi SC)            8 pts

2nd          Gareth Ede     (Filey SC)                 10

3rd          John Terry       (Rutland SC)            16

4th          George Evans (Bala Cat Club)       24

FULL NATIONALS RESULTS 

 

Position

Helm

Sail

Race 1

Race 2

Race 3

Race 4

Race 5

Race 6

Points

1

Paul Ellis

507

3

4*

1

2

1

1

8

2

Gareth Ede

91

2

5*

2

1

3

2

10

3

John Terry

533

1

1

DNF*

8

2

4

16

4

George Evans

510

4

7*

3

7

7

3

24

5

Stuart Ede

531

5

6

4

5

5

9*

25

6

Dave Jennings

2090

9*

2

5

6

6

8

27

7

Cliff Antill

17

6

3

6

3

9

10*

27

8

Tony Costall

51

11*

11

11

11

4

5

42

9

John Peperell

530

7

8

10

10

DNS*

7

42

10

Justin Evans

518

8

12

9

4

10

DNS*

43

11

Neal Graneau

512

12*

10

7

9

11

6

43

12

Nigel Harrison

522

10

9

8

12*

8

11

46

13

Norman Taverner

269

DNS*

13

DNF

DNS

DNS

DNS

69