Results / Inland Championships GWSC - 02/10/2010

This was nearly the event that did not happen due to an infestation of killer shrimps at Grafham Water.  A previous Lark open meeting had to be cancelled and both the club and 600 clan were pleased that the event could go ahead.  After a briefing focusing mainly on the decapod crustaceans, we launched in a Force 2-3 Southerly.  The first race included beats with some large lulls and shifts, resulting in snakes and ladders sailing.  Peter Nelson showed good speed in the conditions and had a comfortable looking lead after the first day.  Ian Marshall was also looking fast, despite having missed most of the season with a knee injury.  Others looking fast in shifts and marginal trapezing conditions were Chris Tilbrook and Dan Saltmarsh from Blackwater S.C. (your reporter has only just noticed the appropriateness of Dan's surname).

The Sunday dawned with an, as forecasted, South-Easterly Force 4, building to F5 at times.  The rain did not cease for most of the day, but with wind and mild temperatures, the sailing was excellent.  The stronger wind favoured longer stringy sailors, with Mark Cooper improving on a rank first day to score a win in the last race.  Jason Rickards also shone, coming second in the same race.  Nevertheless, all competitors capsized at some stage, mainly due to some vicious gusts.  Another factor was the shrimps causing various gear failures including Chris Tilbrook's strop and John Charles's kicker splice.  The two protagonists, Ian Marshall and Pete Nelson were tied on points going into the last race.  Perhaps trying too hard, both had something of a `mare, and thus the event went to Ian Marshall on countback.

Thanks as always to Grafham S.C.  The de-shrimping process after racing worked smoothly, with 3 lanes and pressure washers getting everybody quickly through the wash.  At the prize giving, it was interesting to see an aquarium that the club at installed with some of the killer shrimps.  Fortunately, the aquarium had a sealed lid, and thus there was little danger for the adjacent drinkers.