Report on the Welton Sailing Club Streaker Open Meeting
held on Saturday 22nd June 2013
Thirteen visiting boats and eleven local boats took part in the three races held at Welton Sailing Club in a strong southerly Force 4 wind occasionally gusting Force 5 fresh off the Humber which required much concentration and physical effort by helms throughout the event.
With wind across the width of the lake, three relatively short upwind legs were set in the first race. The fleet got off to a good start with only two boats over the line. At the first mark Matt Velamail from Ulley SC lead the fleet followed by Ian Jones from Doverstone SC but by the end of lap one Ian Lees from Scammondem SC had taken the lead with Ian Jones still in second place. By the 2nd lap Ian Jones had taken the lead with Ian Lees now in 2nd place and local member Chris Spencer taking 3rd place. These positions remained unchanged at the end of the third lap and finish. Due to the high winds, many boats capsized with nine boats retiring from the race.
The wind continued from the same direction and strength for the second race. At the start, the fleet were all neatly lined up behind the line, a perfect fleet start with Matt Velamail from Ulley SC and Ed Wheldon from Welton SC getting the best starts. Ian Jones was first to the windward mark followed by Matt Velamail and Chris Spencer. Ian Jones with clear wind then built up a substantial lead and after one lap was followed Ian Lees and Chris Spencer. The longer course had to be reduced to 2½ laps with Ian Jones easily maintaining his lead to win followed by Chris Spencer and then Ian Lees.
The wind backed to SW for the final race but continued in strength, this allowed a more diagonal course across the lake with longer upwind legs and down wind runs. The wind strength in the previous two races impacted on the size of the fleet with only twelve boats making the start. The fleet got away again on the first start with Matt Velamail again getting a good start. After the first lap Ian Jones had taken the lead followed by Matt Velamail and Nick Lovell. Ian Jones maintained the lead after the second lap with Nick Lovell passing ahead of Matt Velamail. These positions were the same after the third lap which was the finish.
For the final results Ian Jones did not need to use his discard having successfully won all three races in very challenging conditions. The points were then shared between Welton sailor Chris Spencer who normally sails a Laser and Ian Lees, with Chris Spencer taking second place on count back on the last race and Ian Lees third. John Aldhous was fourth and Nick Lovell was fifth.
Welton SC would like to thank everybody who took part in the Open Meeting and look forward to supporting the Streaker Association again next year.
RESULTS (lots of ties for last place as the wind was so strong, some never managed to finish a race)
| ian jones | dovestone | 1 |
| christopher spencer | welton | 2 |
| ian lees | scammonden | 3 |
| john aldhous | beaver | 4 |
| nick lovell | ouse amateur | 5 |
| matt velamail | ulley | 6 |
| peter cogill | rotherham | 7 |
| richard wharram | welton | 8 |
| robin jones | hykeham | 9 |
| john willars | welton | 10 |
| rosie fletcher | welton | 11 |
| pete tyerman | pennine | 12 |
| sally ratcliffe | scammonden | 13 |
| robin mappleston | girton | 14 |
| pete fletcher | welton | 15 |
| adrian cripps | girton | 16 |
| ed wheldon | welton | 17 |
| andy saunderson | welton | 18 |
| lianne therkelson | welton | 18 |
| s j chilton | yorkshire ouse | 18 |
| john bougoine | tamworth | 18 |
| dave smith | welton | 18 |
| dave butler | welton | 18 |
| mike rimmer | welton | 18 |