ELTON Sailing Club 2006

Leigh & Lowton Juniors went travelling -
It was a Blustery and Successful Day at Elton

A brisk breeze greeted the 29 sailors at Elton Sailing Club on Saturday 1st April. The young sailors were made welcome and eagerly headed to the busy galley for teas, coffees and bacon baps. After briefing the breeze picked up, sails were reefed and changed and the fleet headed for the line for one handicap start. Plenty of competitive spirit stirred as the seconds ticked down and Daisy Murphy had a clear start upwind making good use of the wind shifts.

Leigh and Lowton toppers battled for positon as the Lasers set the pace and the third mark saw plenty of capsize action as the wind increased. After lap 1 Katlyn Green led the Toppers closely followed by Daisy, Gideon Slayen, Adam Millington and Alice Murphy.

As the safety boats were being kept busy by the fleet, the shore support crews took cover in the clubhouse as the skies darkened, for more tea and coffee and watched as a squall whipped over the reservoir flattening 7 boats. Those parents eager enough to be watching from the reservoir wall had first hand experience of the lightening strike. As Brian eagerly pointed out Beth's position the electricity ran through his body as the electricity was simultaneously zapped from the clubhouse.

With no electricity the race team had plan B ready and swung into action, resorting to more manual methods for recording results.

The fleet survived the rest of the first race and the galley still managed to produce a well deserved hot lunch.

Race 2 began in freshening conditions, and soon there were boats being rescued, left tied to marks and young sailors abandoning the race. Those who managed to sail through the initial squalls welcomed a dip in wind strength and positions remained unpredictable until the end of the race. Retiring sailors made willing helpers as they helped their colleagues beach their boats as they finished the race and the rescue boats mopped up the course.

The third race waited for another squall to pass, dwindling numbers headed for the start line, the sun came out and the breeze remained a steady manageable 3. The fleet was more together during this race and Daisy and Katlyn battled for first Topper never too far from the Laser fleet.

Technical hitches beyond the control of the Race Team made result calculations lengthy and a tense wait for the eager competitors. Daisy Murphy earned overall winner also scooping the U14 first place. Kaytlin secured 3rd overall and Gideon a rewarding 3rd under 14.

It was good to see so many turning up for the first NWJTT event - see you all in 3 weeks at Winsford

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