Albacore Inland Championship at Bartley Sailing Club
by Harry Ashworth 8 May 20:00 NZST
5-6 May 2024
On 5th and 6th May, Bartley Sailing Club in south-west Birmingham hosted the Albacore class Inland Championship. Visitors travelled from as far as Scaling Dam in the north-east and Lyme Regis in the south-west.
A fair summary of the very close racing during the event would be akin to 'snakes and ladders'. On both days the wind was generally light and shifty. Even legendary class champion Judy Armstrong saw a (seemingly unassailable) lead evaporate such that she dropped to third in one race, many others had similar experiences, no lead was ever safe.
Competitors were greeted with a fickle south easterly breeze on Sunday 5th. Imported (and excellent) race officer Ian Kelly set 'round the cans' courses for the 4 races held. Judy, with husband Paul crewing, won 2 of the races, eventual winner Allan Tyler crewed by wife Chrissie won a race as did Peter Snowdon (in his beautifully varnished, wooden boat) crewed by Lewis Fowler.
On Monday the wind was 'blowing' from a north-easterly direction i.e. straight down the lake. Competitors successfully urged the race officer to set windward/leeward courses much favoured by the Albacore class and 2 more races were held. Race 5 saw at least 6 different leaders at one time or another. Monday proved to be Tyler's day as he won both races, the last by quite a margin. In victory, Alan was gracious enough to admit that the conditions had been 'perfect' for him and Chrissie, both 'lightweights'.
Overall Results: (top four)
1st 8236 Allan and Chrissy Tyler, Lyme Regis
2nd 8228 Judy and Paul Armstrong, Scaling Dam
3rd 7920 Peter Snowdon and Lewis Fowler, Scaling Dam
4th 8158 Jeremy Shinton and Harry Ashworth, Bartley