Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club
Flying Fifteen Open 7th &8th May 2011

Unfortunately numbers were down and there were no Classics or Silver, just four visitors and eight Club boats, a sign of the times I suppose.
Sally and David McKee arrived to try to retain the trophy they had won for the last two years.
We were also honored by the presence of Keith Jamieson, Sec. of the Flying Fifteen Assoc. He was going to sail with local sailor 20 year old Josh Preater for the first time, in preparation for the up-coming National and World Championships.

Sat 7th May

The R.O. Pete Sherwin and his team set an Olympic course, and this was the format for the two days.
Race 1
The first race started at 13.00. Wind as forecast 15mph, S.E. gusting 20. McKee's 3941 clean start meant he was never troubled and led from start to finish, followed by Cadwallader 3942, last years runner up, and very few changes at the front.
Race 2
Wind now 17mph gusting 23.
The port end was favored. Cadwallader, McKee, Pattison 3943 and your intrepid reporter  were on the flag at the gun.Unfortunately.  Mr. McKee was over the line. As he went back, you thought a chance for some one else to win. ( mental note, wait for the fat lady to sing )
Cadwallader, Pattison and Passmore 3421 rounded the windward mark.Pattison tried to sail over Cadwallader, who was having none of that. For those who know Chew Valley, Pattison was luffed up to Bishop Sutton, Passmores gain.How ever cream always rises to the top, by the second beat , it was Cadwallader, McKee Passmore. Pattison was further in the wars when he had a 720 situation with Harris 3764. McKee finally broke though to win, and a very good last beat by Abrahams 3429, gave the result McKee, Cadwallader, Abrahams, Passmore.
Race 3
The wind increased again, McKee got away cleanly, followed by Cadwallader, Harris and Patison avoided further confrontation andat the finish it was McKee, Cadwallader, Pattison, Harris and Anderson 3453.
This meant McKee had retained the Title with a day to spare. Would he bother to come to-morrow ? More wind expected.

Sun 8th May

The increased Southerly came as expected. two boats decided not to play.
Race 4
Pattison got of to a flyer and the fleet followed him around the first triangle, dropping the kite before rounding for the next beat proved a problem, he broached and went the wrong side of the bouy, letting Cadwallader and McKee, ( yes he did come back ) through. At much the same point, on the next time round. Harris tried to sail over Pattison, his crew Terry McGrain missed the toe strap and fell off. This allowed Abrahams and Jamieson 3521. Giving us. Cadwallader, McKee, Pattison, Abrahams. The rescue boat picked up McGrain.
Race 5
McKee decided to pack up early and came ashore.
The wind continued to increase, the R.O. recording gust at 32 mph.
Abrahams was over at the start. Pattison had the best start and rounded first. He and Cadwallder changed positions several times over the next leg, Cadwallader had the better gybe and started to pull from the fleet. Harris moved into second place rounding for the last beat and guest helm Andy Scott 3831 was now 4th
The finish of the 5th and final race was Cadwallader, Harris, Pattison ,Scott

Full Results are on the Club Web site, as follows

1st     Sally and David McKee
2nd   Ian Cadwallader  and Bill Chard
3rd    Gail and Doug Pattison
4th    Keith Harris and Terry McGrain
5th    Russell Abrahams and Danny Pilgrim
6th    Andy Scott and Paul Chesterman
7th    Bill Anderson and Sally Farrant
8th    Keith Jamieson and Josh Preater
9th    Alex Tatlow and Mike Tatlow
10th   Alex Timms and David Good
11th  Max Passmore and Sue Norton
12th  Sue and Pete Barnes