Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club on 11-12th June

The Musto Skiff Class Open at Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club on 11-12th June had an entry of 16 boats. We were greeted with a full reservoir and bacon butties.
At the briefing the race officer said if we had any questions we could apply in writing 7 days prior to racing. We were set for some good racing, he knew what he was doing.
Race 1. Tactics for the race were to start at the pin and immediately tack onto port to avoid the calm patch on the left. The fleet tacked onto port but Sten had won the pin so led at the windward mark. The 4 lap windward leeward course had lots off great escapes with gusts and lulls coming from both sides. Sten pulled out a commanding lead of half a leg on the chasing pack. On the final down wind Sten was taken by Trotter. (Never give up in this condition).Renilson was third.
Race 2. A square line this time, so a start at the committee boat was favoured to allow you to tack on the first shift. Kenny won the start, got a starboard lift and was first at the windward mark. He had a good battle with Kit , Sten and Trotter for 3 laps to be pipped by Kit and Sten but not Trotter.
Race 3. The wind pattern from the previous race indicated right was a safe bet. It looked good for the boats on the right but half way up the beat the wind died. Then filled in from the left. Trotter saw what was happening and led at the first mark till the finish, Sten second and Ant third. This meant Trotter was over-night leader.
A well priced pasta meal and apple pie was followed by a game of baseball and beer.
Free camping meant no driving ??? and more beer.

Sunday oh dear raining, no wind and a wet tent to pack.
The race officer was guided by the majority, he waited for the wind, and then ran a very short windward leeward with lots of laps to keep things tactical in front of the club.
Race 4. Addison led for most of the 6 laps only to be out soaked by Sten . Trotter finished third.
Race 5. Stephen Lowe came from the left and led at the first mark. Trotter took Lowe on the first down wind and for most of the race dominated. Sten got a lucky lift and went from behind on the same line to ahead and to windward on the last beat. Lowe finished third.
Race 6. The windward mark was moved left changing where the calm patches were.
Kit led at the top mark, to be taken by Tim on the downwind as he stayed in the wind down the right. On the final down wind the places kept changing between Tim, Kit, Sten and Addison. Kit won.
Handy tools and wine for the winners, Thanks to Ian Trotter and his race team for organising the event, a good weekend.

Results

Name Sail Number Sponsor Points Position
1 Richard Stenhouse 163 Helly Hansen 8 1
2 Ian Trotter 168 Trident UK 11 2
3 Kit Stenhouse 179 Helly Hansen 14 3
4 Mark Addison 167 23 4
5 Ant Chapman 146 25 5
6 Ken Ward 200 Diamond Drilling 29 6
7 Tim Chapman 169 34 7
8 Dave Poston 153 35 8
9 Peter Griffith 82 43 9
10 Ian Renilson 128 Sunrise Engineering 49 10
11 Stephen Lowe 56 49 11
12 Ross Hunter 130 58 12
13 Paul Davies 127 59 13
14 Andrew Price 88 60 14
15 Ian Judd 139 64 15
16 Richard Purdy 75 70 16

Author : Kit Stenhouse
Photo: Norman Tate