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Results/Reports   2008

Results / Reports 2009

For results from the areas etc. please select from below :-

·        North   ( Rudyard Lake; Winsford Flash; Chester; Swarkestone; Redesmere )

·        South  ( Taplow; Kingsmead; Bewl; Hawley Lake; Mudeford )

·        East    ( Fishers Green; Crawley Mariners; Chipstead; Burghfield )

·        West   ( Shearwater; Baltic Wharf; Severn; Merthyr Tydfil )

·        Central ( Hunts; Cransley; Banbury; Staunton Harold )

·        Championships ( Association 24/25 May; Nationals 11/12 July ) 

                   For photos of the Nationals please go to www.waldringfieldsc.com/comet-nats

     2009 Orbital Results (to be confirmed)

.…  ….  ….  …. ….  ….  ….  ….  ….  ….  ….  ….  ….  ….

Reports 2009
Reports from the following Open Meetings etc.are shown below:- Staunton Harold; Burghfield; Banbury; Merthyr Tydfil; National Championships; Bewl Valley; Winsford Flash; Fishers Green; Baltic Wharf; Taplow Lake                              
Please click on images to enlarge 

Comets at Staunton Harold.
 Thirteen visitors joined five home Comets for the final Open of the 2009 season at Staunton Harold SC on 17th October.   The day was dry and bright with a varable NE wind F1-2. The first two races were held back to back. In race one Jonathan Latham from Winsford Flash SC had a race long tussle with Eddie Pope from nearby Redesmere SC for the lead and these two got well away from the rest of the fleet with Jonathan edging it over Eddie. There was close racing between Alan Bennett, Paul Hinde and John Copenhall to be 3rd. Alan eventually manged to break away and get the place nearly catching the leaders at the end. Emma Brisley came from behind with to get 4th and Paul held 5th.                                                                               

In race two again Eddie and Jonathan were at the front of the fleet but this time Eddie had the advantage so keeping the winner undecided. Alan came a closer 3rd after having to sail through Nick 4th and Helen          Leivers next up.                                                                                                                                                        

Race three got cleanly under way and the leading group went too far left on the beat of lap two when the wind filled in on the right. This allowed Dave Jobling, Brian Welham and John and Emma to gain an advantage. They managed to hold their higher positions with Dave getting first (and nearly 3rd
overall). Brian was second with John third. Jonathan was an important fourth followed by Eddie.

The result for the event win and third could not have been closer as was hoped! National Orbital and End of season prizes were awarded after the event and the Club looks forward to hosting the Comets again in 2010.

By Alan Bennett. SHSC                                                                                                                                                
Result

Pos   Helm                 Comet   Club                        Points

1       Jonathan Latham  349     Winsford Flash SC    3

2       Eddie Pope          804     Redesmere SC               3

3       Alan Bennett        620     Staunton Harold SC  6

4       Dave Jobling         780     North Staffs SC        7     
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Burghfield Comet Open

Six competitors arrived at Burghfield’s Comet Open on Saturday 3^rd October to find a strong wind blowing down the lake. The race officer claimed it was a force four, but when the Chairman’s boat was blown off its trolley it seemed that this was an underestimate, and so it proved. The wind soon claimed casualties, with only five boats daring to venture on to the water and only four making it to the start. By the second mark this had reduced to three boats.

The race officer, seeing the wind strength, changed the course just before the start to a simple triangle with a long beat the full length of the lake, a dead run starting in the lee of the club house and ending in a gybe out in the wind followed by a screaming reach across the lake to the leeward mark. Burghfield sailor Chris Robinson was first to the windward mark followed by Michael Ettershank who capsized on the run and retired. Chris capsized on the first gybe, but quickly recovered, so Clive Chapman, who successfully gybed, only caught up a little. As Chris continued to increase his lead Clive capsized, allowing John Coppenhall to get past to take second place.

In race two the race officer set another triangular course, but this time with a shorter beat. The wind dropped slightly after the start allowing for some closer racing. Chris was first to the windward mark, but on the two reaches Clive closed and took the lead near the leeward mark. The wind rose for a few minutes and then dropped back again, but not before Chris had got past Clive. Downwind on the second lap Clive again began to catch Chris, but this time Chris kept ahead. On the third lap the wind got up again, but this time it didn’t drop away. Chris began to pull away from Clive, but approaching the end of the downwind legs he broached and sailed the wrong side of the leeward mark leaving the way clear for Clive to take the lead. However, Clive capsized and by the time he had recovered Chris had long gone and John had almost caught up. This time however Clive kept ahead of John to take second place.

The third race had the same course as race two, but the wing mark was moved to give one broad reach followed by a much tighter reach to the leeward mark. Clive mistimed the start and then capsized sailing towards the line and subsequently retired. As the start gun went Chris nosedived sailing around the stern of the committee boat and was catapulted into the sail as the boat capsized leaving John to start on his own. Chris recovered from his capsize and began to give chase. John maintained his lead up the beat and the first reach, and both successfully gybed at the wing mark. However, the next reach proved problematic and the two struggled to keep the bow out of the water and the boat sailing down to the leeward mark. John capsized to windward trying to bear away to get round the mark and Chris ended up the wrong side of the buoy and had to wear round twice. Chris recovered quicker than John and took the lead. During lap two Chris began to pull away and John fell back further when he capsized at the start of the third beat. The wind increased making it difficult to make any progress to windward and the race officer took pity and shortened the course. Chris finished first, giving him a perfect score, and John finished second, giving him second place overall.

1^st Chris Robinson

2^nd John Coppenhall

3^rd Clive Chapman

4^th Michael Ettershank

5^th Henry Jaggers

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Comet Open at Banbury Sailing Club – 26^th September 2009

A light North Westerly and bright sunshine welcomed ten Comet sailors to Banbury Sailing Club at Boddington Reservoir.

Race Officer Vic Gyselynck set a challenging course for the first race. As the flag dropped only John Coppenhall (532) and Harry Isles (592) were anywhere near the start line. John managed to maintain his advantage throughout the race finishing just ahead of Brian Welham (711). Henry Jaggers (436) and Nick Warren (745) finished a long way behind, 3^rd and 4^th.

After a hearty lunch races 2 and 3 were staged back to back on a shorter course. In the second race John Coppenhall (532) again got off to a good start but this time was overtaken by both Brian Welham (711)  and Henry Jaggers (436) and had to settle for 3^rd place behind the other two. Nick Warren (745) again finished 4^th.

The third race saw 3 sailors in contention for overall first place – Brian Welham, John Coppenhall and Henry Jaggers. After a hard fought race Henry Jaggers (436) came out on top ahead of Brian Welham (711), Nick Warren (745) and John Coppenhall (532).

First Banbury boat home was helmed by Harry Isles (592), in 5^th place. First lady home was Rhiain Bevan (724) who was 6^th.

Thanks to everyone who made the event enjoyable and successful.

1^st        Henry Jaggers            436     Beer

2^nd       Brian Welham            711     Taplow

3^rd        John Coppenhall         532     Hunts

4^th        Nick Warren              745     Littleton

5^th        Harry Isles                 592     Banbury

6^th        Rhiain Bevan             724     Cransley

7^th        John Comfort             805     Banbury

8^th        Chris Robinson          63       Burghfield

9^th        Phil Henman              599     Banbury

10^th      Joan Taylor                498     Banbury

 Eb Brown                   

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Merthyr Tydfil Sailing Club
Comet Class Open Meeting  27th September 2009

Was this a repeat of last year? Arriving at the club early we were greeted by very
light winds! Seven visitors joined the six local boats for the last event of the Comet Class Western Aphelion(traveller) series.

A light breeze from the NNE started and we started the first race. No one “raced” away on the first beat, John Coppenhall (532, Hunts SC), Henry Jaggers (800,BeerSC and Robert Wookey (758, Merthyr Tydfil SC) got round first. A group of four led round the next couple of marks followed by a tight group of six and then threestragglers. By the end of the first lap the leading group was down to three, Henry leading by a good margin from Ben Palmer (Baltic Wharf SC) and John Coppenhall. By the end of the second lap the fleet was well spread with Ben in the lead with Robert Wookey (Merthyr Tydfil SC) moving up into third place. In lap three, few places changed and by the end of the final fourth lap Ben won by a considerable margin from Henry and Robert.

After a great lunch and the wind seemed to have filled in more, the second race was
started but again the wind dropped off as the race started. But this time Helen
Leivers (Severn SC) led for the first two marks before sailing into a hole and being
overtaken. Henry Jaggers got into the lead by the end of the first lap followed by
John Coppenhall. The wind died, filled and died again. The course was shortened to
two laps with the finishing order being John Coppenhall first, followed by Henry and
Ben and then everyone else very slowly completing the course! 

The course was set for the final race being almost as short as possible and
virtually a windward leeward course. But this time the start was very competitive
with John Coppenhall realising that he was over the line before the start and making
his way back while Ben and Henry were recalled! Ben also had to take a penalty
before re-starting! John still managed a good start and led from the beginning,
getting what little clear air there was got quite a lead. But Ben worked his way
through the fleet and on the final run picked up a gust and was heading towards John
at quite a rate. But John managed to round the leeward mark a couple of boat lengths
ahead and maintained that lead over the short fetch to the line. John first, Ben
second and Chris Robinson (Burghfield SC) third.

Thanks go to all those who helped organise and run the day, safety boat crew, galley staff and others!

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Comet National Championships – Waldringfield Sailing Club 11^th-12^th July 2009

Steve Harvey & Chris Robinson

Waldringfield Sailing Club on the River Deben in Suffolk hosted the 2009 Comet National Championships on July 11^th/12^th.  The 24 competitors arrived to find a flat calm, but after an hour postponement a light breeze allowed the first race to get underway with Race Officer Richard Woolf setting a triangular course. Mark Coppenhall was first to the windward mark, followed by John Coppenhall. Mark went on to win, while John fell back among the chasing boats. As the wind dropped the course was shortened and places changed throughout the fleet as the competitors struggled to beat against the tide to the finish. Guy Wilkins took second place as a little wind filled in to take the fleet across the finish.

 
The breeze increased and 2 good races were held on a 'P' shaped course. Guy sailed into the lead, followed by local sailor Ian Davidson sailing an Xtra-rigged boat, and Eddie Pope. As the wind increased Eddie passed Guy to win, and Ian caught Guy at the finish to take second.

Ian led race 3 from start to finish. Simon Thompson sailed into second place on the first run. Behind him several boats contested third place and eventually Eddie sailed clear. On the penultimate beat Eddie caught Simon and sailed past him on the final run to take second place.

On Sunday the fleet headed downstream to one of the wider stretches of the river.  A freshening wind was blowing and with a course including cross-river beats and interesting tactical choices the next two races provided the best sailing of the weekend.  In race 4 Eddie led followed by Simon. Simon was initially challenged by Nick Warren, but Nick fell back to be caught by several boats. Ian, who had been OCS at the start, recovered well to take fifth place, just failing to catch Chris Robinson at the finish.

At the start of race 5 Ian took the lead followed by Simon, Eddie and Michael Ettershank. Ian and Eddie capsized allowing Simon and Michael to get past. Eddie got back into third place, and began to catch the leading two boats. On the final beat there was little distance between Simon in first, Michael in second and Eddie in third. They crossed the line in this order, but not before Ian had sailed passed them all to win.

For the final race the Race Officer set a course around the island, passing the moorings in front of the clubhouse. Ian, using his local knowledge, was first to the windward mark and sailed through the fickle winds among the moorings before two yachts passed, creating a wash that caused much difficulty for the following boats. Eddie was next to clear the moorings, but by this time Ian had a substantial lead. Steve Bellamy and Simon followed. Although Simon was caught by three chasing boats he regained the lost places to finish fourth.

After the six races Eddie Pope had won the Nationals and Ian Davidson was Xtra Champion.
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COMET OPEN – BEWL VALLEY SAILING CLUB – 20 JUNE 2009

The weather stayed remarkably fair for the Comet Open to held at Bewl Valley SC on 20 June this year. With over 700 acres to play with, and a good fleet of 18 boats from 9 different clubs, including 3 Xtras, the Race officer, Ken Ware, and his team set a trapezoid course for the first race with a challenging beat to windward from a committee boat start near the main dam at Bewl.

As was the case for most of the day, all 18 boats challenged for the honours in race one, with first place going to Mark Wilkins from Chipstead SC with Simon Thompson from Crawley Mariners hot on Mark's heels. Brian Welham and Henry Jaggers came in a close third and fourth places respectively. With the wind varying slightly and decreasing,the second race, over the same course, saw Henry Jaggers from Beer SC justify his long journey to Kent by taking first place from Brian Welham from Taplow Lake, second, closely followed by Mark Wilkins and Clive Chapman from Littleton SC.

After a good rest and lunch from the resident chef, Gordon, all 18 boats again took to the water for the afternoon. By this time the wind had dropped so, wisely, Ken set a shorter triangular course to take account of the conditions. Once again Mark Wilkins showed his skills by taking first place, closely followed by Simon Thompson in a repeat of their finish for race one. They were followed by Brian Welham in third. Neil Smith from Bexhill SC managed to pip Nick Warren from Littleton SC to take fourth place in some close racing.

With an odd wind shift, typical of Bewl, the start for race four was delayed as the first mark was repositioned, but, not to be outdone by the, by now, light conditions, all 18 Comets crossed the start line almost in unison. Nick Warren showed everyone a clean pair of heals crossing the line with his only win of the day followed by Simon Thompson, Henry Jaggers and Clive Chapman.

After a full day of racing, honours went to Mark Wilkins, followed by Simon Thompson and Henry Jaggers. The first Xtra, sailed by John Sturgeon from Hawley Lake, came 12^th overall, and the special prize for gallantry in rescuing a fellow competitor went to Barry O'Herlihy from Bexhill SC. Some Comets stayed on to enjoy the mid-summer bar-b-q at the club into the evening, with Henry Jaggers last to leave – was it the food, the view or the company Henry?

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