Miracle Open at Thornton Steward Sailing Club
by Gillan Gibson 8 Sep 2010 19:55 NZST
4-5 September 2010
Miracles at Thornton Steward © Amanda Killip
A morning mist did not bode well. Fortunately by start time there was some wind, though it required classic inland light wind sailing where the ability to identify and respond to the velocity and shifts was crucial. In the first race place changes were numerous with the final winners Jon and Phi Aldhous (3794) making the best of the conditions. With a different course for race 2 places still changed every lap and it was Geoff and Janet Phillips (3812) who were over the line first.
Sunday brought more wind, but the shifty conditions continued. In race 3 places did not change so freely as the day before and Wayne and Mark Atherton (3383) took the lead and kept it until the end. A different course and visitors more attuned to the conditions saw Ian Kelly and Neal Gibson (4016) lead initially, but half way through Wayne and Mark Atherton (3383) were able to pass and finish first. In the final race it was Wayne and Mark Atherton who again showed their mastery of the conditions taking the lead and keeping it to achieve 3 wins to win the event.
Overall Results:
1st Wayne and Mark Atherton (Delph)
2nd Jon and Phillip Aldhous (Beaver)
3rd Geoff and Janet Phillips (Welton)
4th Ian Kelly and Neal Gibson (Redoubt)
5th Scott and Finlay Train (Thornton Steward)