By David Wheeler
DOVESTONE SAILING Club hosted two major events over consecutive weekends, the Flying Fifteen Open and Laser Open.
The Flying Fifteen Open was held over two days and the wind on Saturday wasn’t supportive.
Three races were sailed on Saturday and produced close competition throughout the fleet. The three newest boats sailed by Justin Waples and Ralph Smith, Arthur and Angie George, Graham Massey and Lucy Clough were always close to the action at the front, crossing tacks regularly as they picked their way up the beats in the shifty wind.
Dave Naylor and Norman Christie, in their classic boat, also found some good shifts and sailed well taking a second in race two.
During race three the wind started to fade and the long run down the length of the reservoir kept the fleet guessing as the pressure fluctuated from side to side. Mick Hampson and Nick Maddison sailed their best race of the weekend taking third place.
Overnight Justin Waples lead with two firsts and a third, followed closely by Arthur George. Graham Massey and Dave Naylor were tied for third place.
On Sunday the day was better with a stronger wind blowing over the hill and down the valley.
The racing was again close with the classic and silvers jostling for advantage around the marks.
David Naylor and Norman started well and lead the fourth race for a lap and a half before being overhauled by the newer boats. Arthur George stealthily sailed his way to the front again and pipped Justin Waples on the line to win the first race as he had on Saturday. The final race was lead from start to finish by David and Sally McKee in a Silver boat.
The following weekend saw the Laser Open and the final event of the Northern Area Grand Prix Series.
Wet and windy weather put off some of the competitors, but 20 boats made it to the start line. Ian Lees (Scammonden) took an early lead in what proved to be a shifty race. He left Ian Jones (Dovestone), Jack Hopkins (Delph), Neil Skellam (Leigh & Lowton), Greg Marshall (West Lancs) and Jonathan Swain (Carsington) battling it out, with plenty of place changing, but they eventually finished in that order.
Race two saw Ian Jones taking a definitive lead, but Jack Hopkins went through on the last run, leaving it all down to the last race. The rest of the field were some way back and finished with Graham MacWhirter (UKLA) in 3rd.
Greg Marshall led for the first lap of the final race, but was reeled in by Ian Jones. However, a capsize and missed mark for the latter meant it landed up being a close race, but the win went to Ian Jones, with Jack Hopkins a close second. They took first and second overall with Ian Lees third.
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