South Shields Open 6-7/05/06

Entries from as far as Lymington and Blackwater joined locals from the North East for the South Shields Musto Skiff Open Meeting. Six races were planned for the two days. Conditions were warn with a light easterly and the race officer postponed until a steady 5-6 knot sea breeze kicked in.

The fleet got away at the first attempt with Tim Chapman (Rutland) crossing Ian Trotter (Derwent) to take the early lead up the first beat. Trotter’s superior boat speed saw him pass to lead at the windward mark followed by Chapman, Gareth Davies (Blackwater), Ken Ward (South Shields) and Peter Griffiths (South Shields). With Trotter pulling ahead a close battle developed behind him with Steve Lowe (South Shields) closing on the group. The fleet split up the next beat with Chapman closing on Trotter, but pressed hard by Davies, and Ward. Downwind, Ward ran into trouble and Lowe showed good speed to pass Davies and take third behind Trotter, and Chapman with Ward in fifth.

Race 2 started in similar conditions. Trotter got well clear up the first beat and rounded the mark ahead of Davies, Lowe, Ward and Griffiths. A close battle in the chasing pack down the run allowed Trotter to get further ahead and a tangle between Ward and Lowe at the leeward gate allowed Chapman to slip through into third behind Griffiths. A close duel developed between Griffiths and Chapman pulling clear of the chasing pack with Griffiths leading Chapman at the Windward mark. At this point the wind died and swung more southerly, leaving Trotter becalmed on the North side of the run. An upset looked a possibility as the boats tried to keep their spinnakers filling in the awkward swell. The three boats were half a leg ahead by the time the next boats of Lowe and Bill Smith (Lymington Town) rounded the windward mark. A patchy breeze started to fill-in back from the East allowing Lowe and Smith to close rapidly on the leaders. Trotter lead round the leeward mark followed by Chapman, Griffiths, Lowe and Smith. Griffiths tacked off and found himself on the wrong side of a shift leaving Lowe showing excellent boat speed closing on Chapman for second place. A tacking duel developed, but a poor tack by Chapman allowed Lowe to break cover and take second place with Smith an excellent fourth.

With the breeze fickle and better conditions forecast for Sunday the race officer sent the fleet home, for a very tasty chicken curry and home made apple pie, followed by a very sociable evening, with live music, and good local ale.

The following morning the promised 10-12 knots arrived but brought with it thick fog. Sadly the fog would not lift and racing had to be abandoned, leaving Trotter a clear winner with two bullets, and Lowe taking second from Chapman on last race count back.

Despite the weather South Shields provided a well-run event with great hospitality and excellent food. The fleet hopes for a better breeze when it meets at Derwent next weekend.

Results:

Place Race 1 Race 2 Total
1 227 Ian Trotter Derwent Reservoir 1 1 2
2 56 Stephen Lowe South Shields 3 2 5
3 169 Tim Chapman Rutland 2 3 5
4 160 Gareth Davis Blackwater 4 7 11
5 82 Peter Griffiths South Shields 6 5 11
6 125 Bill Smith Lymington Town 9 4 13
7 211 John Evans Derwent Reservoir 7 6 13
8 92 Ken Ward South Shields 5 14 19
9 80 Jason Riby South Shields 8 8 16
10 240 Richard Purdy Sunderland 10 14 24
11 181 Gordon Mockett South Shields 15 14 29