Musto Skiffs at the Tiger Trophy 2009

After the cancelation in February, The 15th Tiger Trophy was held at Rutland Sailing Club on the 11th and 12th July helping to raise money for the John Merricks sailing trust. The event is open to centreboard dinghies with a PY less than 1175, a mixture of classes turned up Saturday morning to a patchy light lake. The time plan was soon delayed as the postponement flag drooped down the pole due to the lack of wind. After a while the wind started to build followed by the drop of the postponement flag. Sailors started to dash around launching into the light fluky wind drifting down towards the committee boat.

With very unpredictable patchy conditions the race officer was trying to lay a suitable course and waiting for a steady breeze to start the event. Once the rain started to drizzle the wind started to settle allowing the race officer to start the sequence. With 5 Musto skiff on the start line three made an incredible start from the pin end of the line as the wind shifted creating a gain on the left hand side of the course. The three musto’s rounded the mark in poll positions Iver Ahlman, Tom Wright, Tim Chapman. The race went on with Iver leading the fast fleet round the course in light shift conditions.

The second race produced interesting competition for the five musto skiffs as the non consistent ‘air’ created unbearable conditions but perfect conditions for the, RS 400, Merlin Rockets and the race winner Kestrel. With only two races held on the Saturday due to the unfortunate wait for wind. The Musto fleet was keen on the forecast of 12knots for Sundays Pursuit race to climb the results board.

Sunday morning brought the hope the sailors prayed for, Sun and Wind ranging from a steady force 4 with a random Rutland 22knot gust exploding down the lake. The race officer created an fascinating course covering the lake. The two hour pursuit race begins counting down. The musto fleet having to hang around for an extra 31 minutes the skiffs blasted off the line as the chase was on. With perfect skiff conditions Richard Stenhouse lead the musto’s round the windward mark disappearing into fleets of boats. Time was ticking away as every boat overtaken was a gain towards the front of the fleet. The course contained some scary tight reaches across the lake whilst at the same time darting between boats trying to create a clear path through. With great stamina and concentration from Richard Stenhouse soon feathered through the fleet of 60 boats leading the race with time to spear.

Great event once again.

Musto Skiff Results:

3rd Iver Ahlman
6th Richard Stenhouse
13rd Tom Wright
37th Tim Chapman
57th Jonathan Olin

Results: http://rutlandsc.co.uk/results/2009/20090712_The%202009%20Tiger%20Trophy.htm