Ely Open Meeting

Ely Sailing Club hosted its National Twelve Open Meeting for the Roswell Trophy on 19th March. Although the winds were light and variable throughout the day, the sun shone for the encouraging turnout of ten boats allowing crews to develop an early season tan.

Race Officer Nigel May got the fleet off to a clean start in race one with the northerly breeze filling in a little. Early leaders were Frances Gifford and Charlotte Ibbotson in N3431 who established a clear lead over the first lap from of the pursuing pack, headed by Ian Gore and Leslie Iles in N3441 and Julian Hood and Jon Thompson in N3446.

The wind soon died again and the first three had broken clear to battle it out. Ian and Leslie emerged as winners from Julian and Jon followed by Frances and Charlotte in third.

After lunch it was decided to sail races 2 and 3 back to back.

The start line was moved to accommodate a change in wind for the second race. Ian and Leslie were early leaders closely followed by Steve Sallis and Ben Dixon in N3436, making a more convincing start than in race one. A good battle developed for third between Julian Hood, Frances Gifford, Mike Cooke (N3419) and last years winner Pip Hudson (N3324).

Ian and Leslie again showed their mastery of the conditions to win ahead of Steve and Ben with Julian and Jon showing their consistency in third.

The wind died off completely in the final race however Steve Sallis and Julian Hood, both battling for second overall, were the early leaders on the first beat with Ian Gore. In the drifting conditions the race was shortened with Ian and Leslie winning again ahead of Steve and Ben. However Steve was disqualified for sailing the wrong course, promoting Julian Hood to second and Mike Cooke and Martin Hurst in N3419 (sporting a distinctive new paint job) into third.

The overall results prove the current potential of the Feeling Foolish design in the lighter conditions.

Overall Results:

1st N3441 (Feeling Foolish) Ian Gore and Leslie Iles Grafham Water SC
2nd N3446 (Feeling Foolish) Julian Hood and Jon Thompson Waveney and Oulton Broad YC
3rd N3436 (Feeling Foolish) Steve Sallis and Ben Dixon Hykeham SC
4th N3419 (Feeling Foolish) Mike Cooke and Martin Hurst Nottingham SC
5th N3431 (Feeling Foolish) Frances Gifford and Charlotte IbbotsonRanelagh SC
6th N3324 (Crusader) Pip and Alice Hudson Broxbourne SC