Contender TT2 and Training Day at Oxford Sailing Club

The weekend of 1st/2nd June starting with the second running of a training day run by Adam Bowers for the Contender fleet, organised by the BCA for its members and supported by Oxford Sailing Club.

Nine Members took part in what turned out to be a very successful day with around 12 to 16 mph winds from the NNE that held throughout the day. This was then to be followed by a one-day open to replace the cancelled event back in April due to storm Kathleen.

The day started early, very early for some! With lots of sun and at least some wind visible on the water it was set to be a nice day at Oxford. This was a welcome change from the wet and cold early season event it normally is. The wind was up and down with glassy looking spots and gusts which may have been up to 10 knots! The briefing began promptly with reminders to always go around the spreader mark and we were made aware that black flags would be in hand ready for us, expecting some mischief.

Launching for the day was very uneventful thanks to the no-longer-slimy launching area, which is most unusual for Contender events at Oxford.

Contender Training Day at Oxford - photo © Tony Brooks

Lining up for the first race it was very calm, most competitors had presumably spent hours practicing starts on the Saturday and all boats got away with a clean start. To begin with the wind was light, but it increased and a few even got on the wire. First to round the top mark, having been lifted so nicely halfway up the beat was Stuart, with local sailor Tony in hot pursuit. Coming round with the back of the fleet Nathan soon found a gust which carried him all the way up to the lead boats. Taking advantage of this he gained even more places up the following beat.

However with Tony and Stuart racing up wind on the final beat, there was nothing anyone could do about it to change the inevitable. Stuart was first across the line, followed by Tony and Bill.

Second race was on, and everyone got away with another clean start. With the threat of starting behind the Laser fleet, (sorry ILCA whatever) it was enough to ensure our good behaviour. It was close racing with shifty wind that caused frustration for many, some more than others. Nevertheless the fleet made it to the windward mark before the fast handicap fleet.

With the wind picking up slightly and stabilizing, there was a bit less luck involved and those who played the shifts came out on top. Using separate gates for Contenders and club sailors it helped ensure the fleets were spaced out on the upwind leg, making finding wind a bit easier given the conditions.

Stuart once again came home in first followed by Nathan who narrowly held onto second with James taking third place.

Contender Training Day at Oxford - photo © Tony Brooks

The third race start was mainly uneventful for Contenders, except for the pumping flag which had unexpectedly gone up with the class flag!

With some bigger gusts now coming in, most of the fleet were out on the wire. Tony took an early lead, with Stuart finding himself a few places back. Further down the fleet James was testing out the water temperature after dropping the mainsheet mid gust!

The pressure stayed on for most of the reach, but by the second leg the wind had disappeared and it was starting to look like it could be a long slow race.

Suddenly, thankfully, the wind filed in as we started up the next beat, Tony and Stuart began to extend their lead over the fleet, Stuart found his way to the front in the shifts up the beat. Although the pumping flag was up, by the end of the race there was barely enough pressure to hold the boom out, let alone pump! With Stuart drifting over the line in first, closely followed by Tony and Nathan, the rest of the fleet slowly followed.

Stuart in first, Tony second and Nathan in third were the final results of the day. Thank you again to Oxford Sailing Club for fitting in the re-arranged event and to BDS-UK who kindly sponsored the event and provided the prizes for the day.

Next Event on the calendar is the big one, the British Contender Nationals to be held at Paignton Sailing club on 13th to 16th June.

Contender Training Day at Oxford - photo © Tony Brooks

Overall Results: