Maidenhead Comet Open

30^th April 2011

On the windy but clear day following the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, nine visitors joined 3 locals for the second Maidenhead Sailing Club’s Comet Open. This year in line with the Taplow Lake Open, that it replaced, the event was held in early May (well close to it) and there was no sign of the weed that forced a rescheduling of the race last year.

The first race was started very promptly (as advised by the race officer Alan Banks) at 11.00 which caught some of the competitors still getting to the line (including your author). However, the race was dominated by an old class association member and former Junior Champion Robbie Hamilton in a borrowed boat, who lead from start to finish. He was followed after one lap by a Maidenhead SC junior, Ian Stone who remained in second for the next 4 laps. Brian Welham fought his way from last across the start line to 3^rd place by lap 4, where he remained. It was good to see MSC helms in the first 3 places. It must be local knowledge! Clive Chapman was 2^nd on the first lap but dropped to 6^th by the end.

After a good lunch the second race began with the wind increasing to about 18 mph with gusts of 25 plus. However, Robbie Hamilton was not able to continue the event due to domestic obligations. This race was controlled by Ian Stone who lead from start to finish but this time was under pressure from Clive Chapman who moved from 4^th on lap 1 to second by lap 4. Maidenhead SC lake has a couple of “hidden island” that are marked by plastic withies and can normally be sailed across at this time of year. The lack of rain in the SE of the country meant that the shallow water extended outside the marks in a couple of places. Unfortunately both Henry Jaggers and Derek Coleman found these shallows and retired. Chris Robinson came through to 3^rd with Michael Ettershank 4^th and Ben Palmer 5^th.

The 3^rd race was a little shorter but the wind continued to blow at the same force. Ian Stone with a 1^st and a 2^nd place could only be beaten if Clive Chapman won the race! Ian Stone remained in the lead at first then decided to take a route the “other side” of one of the islands that had in the earlier races often paid off or not been a loss. However, on this occasion Clive’s more “conventional” route took him passed Ian and into the lead. However, Ian overtook Clive but at the penultimate mark capsized at the gybe allowing Clive to pass and win the race and the event. Chris Robinson came through to 3^rd holding off Ben Palmer and Michael Ettershank.

Congratulations to Clive Chapman as this was his first Open win and can keep the Taplow Tankard for a year. It must be the location as Michael Ettershank won his first event at Maidenhead last year. Ian Stone was second and Chris Robinson, showing his heavy weather skills, was 3^rd with 2 3^rd places.

Results

Helm	Number		Club	Race 1	Race 2	Race 3	Points	Position
Clive Chapman	704	Comet	Littleton SC	6	2	1	3	1
Ian Stone	152	Comet	Maidenhead SC	2	1	2	3	2
Chris Robinson	867	Comet	Burghfield SC	7	3	3	6	3
Ben Palmer	597	Comet	Baltic Wharf SC	4	5	4	8	4
Brian Welham	711	Comet	Maidenhead SC	3	9	6	9	5
Michael Ettershank	84	Comet	Eyott SC	5	4	5	9	6
Robbie Hamilton	7H	Comet	Maidenhead SC	1	DNS	DNS	14	7
John Coppenhall	532	Comet	Hunts SC	8	6	9	14	8
Malcolm Underwood	744	Xtra	Littleton SC	9	7	10	16	9
Derek Colman	707	Comet	Coney	11	DNF	7	18	10
John Sturgeon	400	Xtra	Hawley Lake SC	10	8	8	18	11
Henry Jaggers	800	Comet	Beer SC	DNS	DNF	DNF	24	12

Brian Welham C711