COMET OPEN AT WINSFORD FLASH S.C. APRIL 24th 2010

 

Twelve helms including three visitors contested the Winsford Flash Open on a sunny day with force 3 to 4 wind conditions.  Courses for the three races were fine-tuned to accommodate slight changes in wind direction and provide a good range of beats, reaches and runs.

 

In the first race Dave Jobling (N Staffs SC) held the lead for the fist lap before National champion Eddie Pope (Littleton SC) took over the lead which he held to the finish. Dave Jobling and Dave Harrison (Winsford Flash SC) finished a close 2nd and 3rd respectively, with the rest of the field some way behind led by Brian Herring (Winsford Flash SC) in 4th place.  Brian was sailing the first Comet ever made, number 1 built in 1980 with wooden decking and recently restored at his workshops to maintain original features.  Keith Sowley (Winsford Flash SC RS200 sailor), using borrowed Comet 531, impressed by keeping a boat without a bung going for 2 laps.  Meanwhile Roy Symmers (Winsford Flash SC) had gear failure which lost him time.

 

In the second race Eddie Pope established a lead from Dave Jobling and Roy Symmers and these positions were held to the finish.  Dave Harrison came through to take 4th place with Ros Stephenson 5th.

 

In the final race Roy Symmers pushed Eddie Pope hard at the start line but ended up taking a penalty.  Eddie sailed away again to lead through the race and take 1st place, followed throughout by Dave Harrison in 2nd place, Keith Sowley (Winsford Flash SC RS200 sailor) in 3rd place, Nigel Miller (Winsford Flash SC) in 4th place and Brian Herring in 5th place.

In all three races junior Chloe Bloor (Winsford Flash SC sailed her Mino rig well throughout in her first Comet Open.

 

Eddie Pope was a convincing winner although Dave Jobling challenged strongly. 

 

Overall Results: -

1              Eddie Pope (Littleton SC)                   804

2              Dave Jobling (N Staffs SC)                 780

3              Dave Harrison (Winsford Flash SC) 815

4              Nigel Miller (Winsford Flash SC)      727

5              Brian Herring (Winsford Flash SC)   001

6              Keith Sowley (Winsford Flash SC)   531

7              Roy Symmers (Winsford Flash SC)  115

8              Ros Stephenson (Winsford Flash SC) 820

9              Andy Cush (Winsford Flash SC)      321

10            Ian Duerdoth (Winsford Flash SC)   585

11            Chloe Bloor (Winsford Flash SC)      648 (Mino)

12            Tony Barrett (Winsford Flash SC)    608

 

1st Lady  Ros Stephenson (Winsford Flash SC)             820

1st Junior                Chloe Bloor (Winsford Flash SC)                      648 (using 815 Mino sail)

 

Dave Harrison