Rollesby Broad Sailing Club New Year's Day Open 2022
by Ian Ayres 2 Jan 2022 19:19 NZDT
1 January 2022
Race two starts at the Rollesby Broad New Year's Open 2022 © RBSC
A perfect wind direction and mild temperature saw 31 boats, including 5 visitors, set out on the first 1 km beat along the entire length of Rollesby Broad for this year's New Year's Day Open.
With a good breeze blowing there were capsizes and anyone who could break clear of the main fleet traffic and find some clear air was likely to prosper, the usual 'stay away from the banks' strategy on the return run only seemed to pay for spinnaker boats rather than the single-handers who were significantly split in downwind tactics.
Rather unsurprisingly it was Daren Pike in his Phantom who led round race 1; perhaps inspired by the challenge of lapping daughter Emily in her Topper; he managed it comfortably in race 1 only by a few seconds in race 2. His closest challenger on the water was Daniel Bull in his Laser, revelling in the strong conditions Bull took both the first two races on handicap and hence the meeting! Behind these front two the racing was extremely close with only one point overall separating third from seventh.
Dave Houghton & Jon Symonds struggled to get their Wayfarer to the front of the fleet upwind, but once they raised their spinnaker they were able to make up their handicap with Richard Bailey & Ian Curtis also enjoying the kite flying on the long run. Roger Wilson and Ian Ayres led the nine strong Solo fleet, swapping wins in the morning, but unable to escape far enough from Ellie Edwards in her Splash who enjoyed her morning with two fourth place on handicap.
After a capsize and a DNF in race 1 slightly more space (13 starters) and a change of course for the afternoon clearly suited Howard Astley-Jones in his Vareo as he record a win to snatch third place overall on a tie break with Pike and Edwards, coming ashore the sailors had no idea of the overall minor places; Bailey and Wilson were also tied just one point from third.
Overall Results:
1. Daniel Bull (Laser) 2pts
2. Dave Houghton & Jon Symonds (Wayfarer) 5pts
3. Howard Astley-Jones (Vareo) 8pts
4. Daren Pike (Phantom) 8pts
5. Ellie Edwards (Splash) 8pts
6. Richard Bailey & Ian Curtis (Wayfarer) 9pts
7. Roger Wilson (Solo) 9pts