Lark Open at Rock Sailing and Waterski Club
by Daniel Watson 4 May 2023 17:11 NZST
29 April - 1 May 2023
Nip n' tuck Lark sailing on the idyllic Camel Estuary over the early May Bank holiday saw the first sea open of the 2023 Lark season at Rock Sailing and Waterski Club. The class welcomed plenty of new faces both young and old to embrace the joys of this idyllic sailing venue.
The generally light-to-medium wind and neap tides presented some awesome conditions for PRO Martin Hough, who managed to conjure up some great courses to run 9 excellent races, with some of the closest racing of any sailing event.
On Saturday, racing was held in the Harbour in a light NW wind and more sand appearing as the tides was leaving the estuary. Chris Tillbrook & Stephen Scrivens - sailing in their first Lark Open in the beautifully restored wooden Lark - stunned the fleet with a Port tack flyer and briefly led. However, they fell into a hole on the 2nd beat and watched the rest of the fleet sail around them. Dan Watson and teenage crew Max Evans-Allder laid down the gauntlet with a bullet, from Nigel Scott and returning Lark sailor Tegwyn Tricker. New faces from Plymouth University, Sebi Schmidt and Matt Best came in third in the Synergy demonstration boat.
In Race 2, Nigel Hufton started well and he and Sam Bailey led the way round to to pip Watson & Evans-Allder for first. A second Plymouth University pairing, Ethan Davey & Bel Hitchmough, started to master their borrowed boat to finish third.
Sunday saw a more solid F3 NW wind and a rising tide, allowing three races out on Hawker's Cove. The previous day's practice meant everyone was sailing better and overnight leaders Watson & Evans-Allder had their work cut out. Some close racing ensued, but Hufton & Bailey had the boat speed and boat handling in Tiger Too to win the day with 3 wins. Davey & Hitchmough showed excellent boat speed in the brand-new Cleopatra to lodge a 2,3,2 scoreline. However, behind them, tussles ensued all around the course, with both Scott & Tricker (in Dylan) and John Crooks & Oscar Radford (in Melvi) both posting third places.
Bank Holiday Monday, Hufton & Bailey were really into their stride winning all 4 races, with Davey & Hitchmough posting 3 seconds. However, behind them there was all to play for in the mid-fleet and all the fleet enjoyed the glorious conditions and views. After 9 races, Hufton & Bailey were therefore able to win overall - counting 8 firsts - followed by Ethan & Hitchmough. In third place, Scott & Tricker managed to edge into third by one point from Watson & Evans-Allder.
Thanks go to Martin Hough for being a brilliant PRO and to Rock Sailing Club for holding such a great weekend. Rock proves to be a most-welcoming venue for the class with plenty of delights both on an off the water, including expansive beaches, SUPing in the harbour, trips to Polzeth and Padstow, allowing both sailors and 'support' to enjoy the delights of the North Cornwall. The class cannot wait to be back next year make the trip to this brilliant venue.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Boat Name | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | Tiger Too | 2538 | N Hufton | S Bailey | Frensham/ South Staffs | ‑5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| 2nd | Cleopatra | 2541 | E Davey | B Hitchmough | Plymouth University | ‑4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 18 |
| 3rd | Dylan | 2539 | N Scott | T Tricker | RYA | 2 | 5 | ‑6 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 29 |
| 4th | Polar Bear | 2531 | D Watson | M Evans‑Allder | Waldringfield | 1 | 2 | (DNF) | 5 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 30 |
| 5th | Weeble | 2502 | S Chatten | G Graham | Netley | ‑8 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 37 |
| 6th | Melvi | 2504 | J Crooks | O Radford | Waldringfield | 7 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 6 | ‑8 | 8 | 47 |
| 7th | Reasons To Be Cheerful | 1948 | C Tilbrook | S Scriven | Paignton | 6 | (DNF) | 5 | 7 | 7 | 5 | DNF | 7 | 4 | 50 |
| 8th | Twocan | 2540 | S Schmidt | M Best | Plymouth University | 3 | 7 | 7 | (DNF) | DNF | DNF | 7 | 4 | 7 | 53 |