Comet Open Hawley Lake Sailing Club
by Dave Gilbert 18 Jul 2011 01:00 PDT
9 July 2011
Two home boats joined thirteen visiting helms at the Hawley Lake Comet Open Meeting on July 9th, two weeks earlier than the customary weekend. The weather was bright with a few light showers, a reasonable wind, but seemingly without the wilder wind shifts normally found.
The first race provided an additional challenge with some novice youth windsurfers, showing expected levels of unpredictability, operating near the start area.
For the first race of three, Ian Stone quickly moved to the head of the field and stayed there for the full five laps. Henry Jaggers moved up through the field from fifth on the opening lap to establish himself in second by the end of the third lap but unable to make a significant impression on the leader. Brian Welham slipped from second when passed by Henry but maintained third place to the finish.
The second race saw Ian Stone leading at the end of the first lap of a changed figure of eight course with Chris Robinson in second and Michael Ettershank in third, but taking the lead in the second and third laps, but falling back to second behind Ian on the last lap. Chris fell away to finish fifth with Annette Walter moving into third place and John Coppenhall taking fourth place to repeat his first race position.
A new race long leader emerged for the third race. Ben Palmer quickly moving into a lead he never relinquished. Second place was a close duel between Annette and Brian, the latter coming out ahead with Annette in third. Chris Robinson moved up from a poor start to finish in fourth ahead of Michael and Ian.
Ian Stone's two wins secured the overall first position and junior prize, his first win in only his seventh Comet open meeting, with Brian Welham taking second and Annette Walter taking the ladies prize in third. Ben Palmer was fourth with Michael Ettershank in fifth.
Overall Results:
1st Ian Stone (Maidenhead SC)
2nd Brian Welham (Maidenhead SC)
3rd Annette Walter (Welwyn Garden City SC)
4th Ben Palmer (Baltic Wharf)
5th Michael Ettershank (EYOTT)
1st Junior, I. Stone
1st Lady, A Walter