The event was hosted by North Lincs and Humberside sailing club over the weekend 12-13th April. As the forecast had promised inclement weather, it was a pleasant surprise for the club to welcome 11 visitors. This made the fleet 15 strong, including 4 local sailors.

True to the forecast Saturday’s races were sailed in 20 knots, gusting to 28 as the squalls moved down the Humber.

With the wind in the southwest, the course for first race was set by the OD (Bert Taylor assisted by Roy Smith) with a line start, and included a screaming spinnaker reach the full length of the pond. As the fleet made for the conventional starboard start, Richard Brameld opted for the port end, flipped onto port and led the fleet up the first beat.

As the race progressed, Ian Kelly, crewed by Geoff Phillips of Welton sailed into the lead. After needing to unwind to include the start/finish line on the second lap, Richard fell back to 5th and remained there until the finish. Meanwhile Wayne Atherton and Liz Kemp of  Leigh and Lowton SC sailed into a clear second followed by Jon and Philip Aldhous of Beaver Adrian and Helen Cripps progressed to 4th, and that was the finishing order.

Saturday’s second race was almost a replay ? same wind, direction and course. The result was almost the same, only with Peter Cuthbert of Leigh and Lowton SC    replacing Adrian in 4th position.

As a footnote to Saturdays strong winds and close competition, it was satisfying to note that the rescue team was totally superfluous, only one capsize recorded, and that before the start!
Sunday, with 3 races, was a completely different story. What wind there was had reversed direction, and dropped away to zero. After a 1-hour delay the OD got the race away, starting this time from a committee boat stationed in the SW corner of the pond. Ian Kelly again led the fleet round, followed by Wayne and Adrian.

Ian Kelly, with a prior engagement, and having now won the event, left the scene for the minor places to be settled. With the wind filling nicely there was a repeat of the mornings course. Wayne Atherton led all the way, finishing ahead of Peter Cuthbert and Carl Cripps.

First and second places had now been settled, and with the last podium place at stake, 6 dinghies headed to the start. Wayne again finished first, With Peter second and Jon third. This result settled third place in favour of Peter Cuthbert.

Geoff Phillips thanked North Lincs and the support staff (especially those who supplied the tea & butties!)

Overall result:

NE Area Champion Ian Kelly & Geoff Phillips   4006
Runner-up  Wayne Atherton & Liz Kemp  3383
3rd Place  Peter Cuthbert & Steve Hope  3747
4th   Jon & Philip Aldhous   3794
5th    Adrian & Helen Cripps  4009