Redesmere SC 2007

Leigh & Lowton Juniors went travelling -
Fine Barbecue Weather at Redesmere

Saturday 8th September and it was time for the yearly journey to Redesmere for their NWJTT event. Held a week later than normal this year because the previous week many competitors and helpers were still in Italy after the Topper World Championships, the weather forecast was for a fine day but not a great deal of wind. For once the forecasters were correct and Peter Baldwin, the OOD was faced with a difficult task for course setting. Redesmere always provides a challenge due to the trees surrounding the water but this year looked as though the challenge was going to be even harder.

The turnout was excellent, probably the best NWJTT event for 2007 with 31 in the handicap fleet and 14 Optimists, many of these coming from Budworth as well as the home club. Panic occurred in the Wheeler camp when Chris found that he had left his sail behind. Andy Millington from Redesmere as usual came to the rescue as Mr Fixit and provided Chris with a replacement for the first race while Rob rushed back home to fetch his 'proper' sail. It was a shame you changed the sail Chris, the lovely shade of pink made it very easy to pick you out from the rest of the fleet!

After the usual free teas and toast, the briefing took place and then everyone launched into a very light breeze. The first race got off to a good start with the spectators provided with a ringside seat at the windward mark. The Lasers, hotly chased by local sailor Elliot Hansen in his Topper, led the handicap fleet around the course. Andy Price showed great form running as fourth Topper for a large part of the race chasing Zone and National Squad sailors Hansen, Dawson and Watson but sadly falling back a place or two towards the end. Chris Wheeler, he of the pink sail, had hidden himself at the back of the fleet in shame but pulled himself together to work his way through the fleet to finish as fourth Topper. Sophie in the Laser Radial managed a fourth place overall in the race.

The Optimists started 5 minutes after the handicap fleet and were soon chasing the tail enders of the handicap fleet. Martin Wrigley led for the whole of the race, hotly followed by Rebecca Greaves (second around the first mark and sailing in only her second NWJTT event), James Hazelwood from Budworth and Jamie. Rumours of a protest surfaced as Jamie came off the water with his red flag flying. In the event, the protestee retired after discussing the matter with his Dad, giving Jamie a 2nd place to Martin.

After the usual great Redesmere lunchtime barbeque (which is why the parents always insist that their children compete in the Redesmere event), race 2 got underway with a general recall for the over eager Handicap fleet. Chris Barnes suddenly found great form and was seen to be moving through the fleet with what seemed at times to be his own private wind. For a good part of the race he was heard roundly chastising his sister for her poor performance. Unfortunately for him this had the wrong effect because Laura suddenly decided that she was not going to be beaten by her younger brother and moved through the fleet. Andy and Tom (Keegan) also had a good race but again it was Chris (now with his 'proper' sail) who ended up at the front of the five LLSC Toppers. Sophie again did well so that after two races she was laying fourth overall.

The Optimists were once again shown around the course by Martin who finished the second race holding an unassailable two bullets to take overall first place.

After a course change, the final race set off in the same wind conditions with Chris showing his sister around the course once again. Unfortunately for him this time Laura had worked out how to sail at Redesmere and she came in way ahead of Chris at the end. (As you can see from the photos, Mike found the whole thing too stressful and went to sleep.) A single recall had sent Elliott Hansen back around the end of the line but despite this set back he still turned up at the first windward mark up with the Lasers.

Martin dominated the third Optimist race, just to prove he could do it, and the little red flag appeared on Jamie's boat again. After some thought, Jamie decided not to pursue the protest as it would have had not effect on the overall result. The final placings were Martin first, James Hazlewood taking second overall and Jamie third. Rebecca came 5th and Bobby Hewitt 10th.

Overall, the Handicap fleet was won by Elliott Hansen in a Topper with Pete Mitchell in a Laser in second place and Mark Russel from Etherow (Stockport), a newcomer to the series, in a Laser Radial in third place. Chocolates went to LLSC as the club with most boats and prizes were distributed down to 13th place with Laura just pipping Andy to the last chocolate bar. Sophie was 7th, Chris 8th, Tom 11th, Laura 13th, Andy 14th and Chris a brilliant 19th.

Next

Elton 15th September

West Lancs 6th October - inclues AGM

Leigh & Lowton Winter Regatta 2nd February

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