Sailingfast ILCA Midland Grand Prix at Attenborough Sailing Club

Seventeen boats took to the water for a three-race series. Forecasts all predicted a gusty day and high probability of rain throughout.

The first race got away on time cleanly in a light breeze with one exception, who misread the start line. By the time the first boat, John Ling 224155, had reached the windward mark the fleet had already started to separate. The wind was patchy and light, and some were finding the conditions difficult. The first lap took John almost 16 minutes to complete with the next three boats, Steven Thomas 165537, Paul Keeling 108827 and Ben Richardson 222774 coming through the gate within 30 seconds of each other. It was a further couple of minutes before the fifth boat and a full 10 minutes before all 17 boats had crossed the gate line.

ILCA Midland Grand Prix at Attenborough SC - photo © Sharon Holmes

The wind continued to be light with few place changes, although Paul Keeling passed Steven Thomas to finish second and third respectively. Those sailing with radial rigs suffered in the light winds with Andy Allan 24110 coming in tenth after just two laps.

There was an interlude for lunch before getting back out on the water for two races to be sailed back-to-back. With a storm cell showing on the weather radar 10 or so miles south of us the winds beside being fickle veered significantly, and even after a short postponement due to lightening in the vicinity, the first leg had changed from a beat to a reach (who would be a race officer?).

ILCA Midland Grand Prix at Attenborough SC - photo © Sharon Holmes

Again, John Ling showed his prowess to lead the fleet with Paul Keeling not far behind and with the wind not showing any significant gain in strength the fleet once again became well-spaced across the lake. It took John 15 minutes for the first lap, but the radials were suffering yet again taking up to 40 minutes to complete lap one. The second lap was even slower for all, but John stayed in front to take pole, Paul Keeling second and Steven Thomas in third.

The storm cell had passed, and the wind backed to making the OOD decision look more positive with a good beat on the first leg. The wind had also increased in strength. The fleet got away cleanly, and John Ling had decided to try a port flyer. It didn't work too well, and he quickly found open water to take his penalty for a port/starboard transgression. Even so he found the windward mark in second place following Steven Thomas. There was some close racing throughout the fleet which stayed much closer together with the improved wind conditions, and significant place changes occurred and even a couple of capsizes took place. Andy Allan with his radial rig managed a fourth place allowing for his handicap adding to his fifth in the second race making him first radial. The standard rig boats came in with John first, Paul Keeling second and Steven Thomas third. In addition, Oliver Rogers was first Junior.

ILCA Midland Grand Prix at Attenborough SC - photo © Sharon Holmes

The club received great feedback from all the visitors on the welcoming friendly atmosphere and a special thanks to all the club members who helped to make the day a success Roger and Gillan Day as Race Officers, Lisa Burnham and Racheal Berridge for the delicious refreshments and Peter Stevens and Sue Burnham for safety boat and finally Phil Burnham and Russ Statham as lead boat.

Overall Results: