COTSWOLD SAILING CLUB COMET OPEN MEETING

12th June 2010

With the promise of Sunshine and wind, 9 Comets joined four local boats including four xtra rigs for the first comet open at Cotswold Sailing club for many years.

The first race was started with 704 Clive Chapman pulling off a near perfect pin end start, the field quickly scattered up the first beat, with 532 John Coppenhall first round the windward mark closely persued by 745 Nick Warren. John held the lead for the first lap and the home csc sailors brought up the rear. John was caught by 711 Brian Welham on the next lap and then by 867 Chris Robinson and on the last lap by 704 Clive Chapman. Brian Welham finished first, a leg ahead of Chris Robinson with Clive Chapman third. Local sailor Jan Workman on her new ish xtra rig 853 worked her way into sixth place only to be caught at the last mark by 597 Ben Palmer.

After a hearty lunch provided by Cotswold sailing club the boats returned to the water for two races back to back, the numbers having increased by the late arrival of Henry Jaggers who had car trouble on the way to the event. 711 Brian Welham was first to the windward mark closely followed by John Coppenhall these positions remained for the whole race with Clive Chapman coming in third.

The wind shifted, leading to significant course changes for the last race, having won the event with two firsts Brian Welham swapped boats with local xtra sailor Brian Weatherley 843 for the last race, Clive Chapman lead throughout the third race closely chased by Ben Palmer, John Coppenhall and Nick Warren 745. Clive and Nick fought closely for the last lap with Clive taking it by a whisker on the line. John Copenhall came in third.

After tea and cakes at the prize giving the overall results where

1st Brian Welham 711

2nd Clive Chapman 704

3rd John Coppenhall 532.

First lady and first Cotswold sailor Jan Workman xtra 853.