Catapults at Bewl Water: Sunday April 11th 2010
The 2010 season opened
with a welcome back to Bewl for racing on Sunday, with the Club saying they had
missed us.
The boats down on Saturday had a sunny
first contact with the water for 2010, in fresh breezes. The same fresh and
gusty NE breeze came back for Sunday, coming in unobstructed over the dam to all
parts of the reservoir. The club laid on a “W” course (which once understood gave
two long beats and two broad runs) and slotted us in a small Fast Handicap
fleet.
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The wind
gave constant trapezing conditions throughout the four races on
the day, around 20 knots, dropping and gusting 5 on either side,
with occasional heavy puffs needing some delicate bearing away
at the two upwind marks. |
 |
In Race 1, Alastair Cliff and Alex were away well, staying close while Alastair led around the first mark, dropped back under Cliff’s pressure on the first run, and then led again after the beat. Alex and Cliff powered past on the run, and Alex then pulled away enough to hold first over the remaining laps.
Meanwhile John Terry pulled up gradually from a slow start, and behind him again Paul Ellis came up powerfully after a start delayed by a return to shore, to both catch Alastair. John clawed up on Cliff, holding second from lap three
Right: Cliff and Alastair use a lull
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Beginning the
fourth lap beat, gusts tangled and tipped Paul, the boat turning
turtle quickly. In the struggle to right, it became apparent
that the mast had taken in water, sentencing Paul to a long cold
time in the water, extending into the next race. Race two started very quickly back to back. Cliff saw Alastair making mainsheet adjustments oblivious, and sportingly risked his start to shout out a one-minute warning. Powering back down, they managed good starts only for Alastair to repay Cliff by unavoidably catching him on port in the starting pack. Alex pulled out in front on the first beat, and Cliff had chased down Alastair and then John by the end of the lap. Alastair close behind had the tiller bar pintles loosen to jam the rudders, and after near misses in the fleet had a shore trip for spanners, trailing permanently well last. Meanwhile, Alex’ speed and pointing let him grab a lift which powered him straight up to the second windward mark without tacking, opening a lead which took him away, never to be seen again. Cliff won the close battle with John, holding second. Left: Alex Montgomery powers to a win and a clean sweep at Bewl |
Race three after lunch kept the same “W” course, with the wind piping up. Again the boat speeds were close upwind and down, but Alex pulled gradually away and Cliff kept John at bay enough to lead round each lap. Alastair dropped back, and these positions held round the shorter race.
By Race 4, Alex with a perfect 1, 1, 1 line-up could afford to confess that three packed races in demanding conditions left him tired and cold, so the sun and warmth on shore won out. The remaining three stayed close, Alastair leading off until a mark error put him back. Cliff moved out ahead of John, with Alastair in touch behind, and although speeds were close, no-one could close the gaps, to give Cliff his first win of 2010
Final positions (one discard from four)
Alex Montgomery 3 points
Cliff Antill 5
John Terry 7
Alastair Forrest 11
Paul Ellis 22