Hemsley Superprix at Frensham Pond Sailing Club
by Megan Pascoe 25 Mar 19:41 NZDT
24 March 2024
As the winter series is coming to a close Frensham always holds the Hemsley Superprix in memory of Tim who designed the day's sprint racing to get everyone ready for the summer season.
Tim's ethos was always to get everyone out enjoying racing whatever their level. Although he probably is having a giggle as trying to fit ten races into one afternoon isn't easy. First thanks goes to Dan Shaw for race officering. Richard Garner and Alan Dance who were there all day as race assistants. Rob Anstey for completing the results and the many other safety boat and race assistants. Also to Kate Whyatt for doing the prize-giving.
The fleet gets split into fast, medium and not so slow. The first few races were quite breezy. It was the usual beat to 2 that is set to be trying. That's the polite version. Then a run down to 5, quick beat to 9 (slightly less trying) and a run to 6 to finish. The day ended with a few light races.
The fast fleet consisted of Larks, RS200s, an ILCA 7, a Merlin and a RS100. John and Vicky Brickwood and Nigel Hufton and Matt Wood were showing why they are practised Lark sailors making it look easy. That is once John and Vicky found a rudder, unfortunately it self destructed half way through the day. Clive Eplett and Megan Pascoe in the Merlin definitely weren't making it look easy but improved sometimes looking competent. Ian Gregory in his RS100 joined in for the afternoon and once learning which way to go round mark 5 was pretty unstoppable all afternoon. I think he was finding the shifts he was missing from the previous day.
The medium fleet of Solos, GP14s, ILCA 6 and ILCA 4s were having good racing although most were having a swim. The two John's of Brooker and Barton took first and second in their Solos. John Brooker said he had managed more swims today than in the whole winter series. The GP14s of Paul Trubridge/Matt Hall and Tony Perkins/John McGuiness took and array of bullets but could only partake in half the races. Fiona Nee led the ILCA contingent finishing third overall.
The not so slow fleet of Cadets, 2.4mR and Teras were very competitive. The 2.4s of Bruce Hill, Paul Schroeder and Ian Campbell filled the podium. Sam Nee/Isabelle Davies and Immy Sherwood/Evie Boddy took a first each. Well done to George Garner in his Tera and Gregory Boddy/Sam English in their Cadet for finishing all the races.
It was a great day out with every wind strength going. Lots of practice starting and short course racing. We have a big Easter weekend to finish off our winter series and looking forward to a great summer out.
Overall Results:
Fast Fleet
1st Merlin Rocket, Clive Eplett/Megan Pascoe 11pts
2nd Lark, Nigel Hufton/Matt Wood 18pts
3rd RS100, Ian Gregory 30pts
Medium Fleet
1st Solo, John Brooker 12pts
2nd Solo, John Barton 25pts
3rd ILCA 6, Fiona Nee 40pts
Not so slow fleet
1st 2.4mR, Bruce Hill 8pts
2nd 2.4mR, Paul Schroeder 18pts
3rd 2.4mR, Ian Campbell 26pts