Results & Race Report - The Final Novice & Casual Racing Of 2023
Published 01:00 on 10 Oct 2023
Series Results And Summary
The final results for the Novice/Casual series are here.
This year's Novice fleet was incredibly competitive, with Geoff Edwards just coming out slightly ahead of Pao Feng. They were way ahead of the third place boat of Geoff's dad, Derek.
In fourth place was Mike Homewood, who may have made the top three had he not had an enjoyable day's doublehanded racing, with daughter Heather at the last event. In a brilliant 5th place was Toby Atkinson-Seed, with some great sailing, and maximizing the PY advantage of the Topper.
All the above were regular competitors which always helps the overall result, whereas in 6th place Simon Flint just came along twice and won lots of races!!
As a inspiration to any new members, David Hodgson finished 7th, having only taken his Level two this year
According to his mum, Kirsten, in possibly his last season, Alex Jarvis and his dad won the Casuals. A late charge by Amy Davis was slightly derailed by a plethora of radials in the last event.
Most of the rest of the Casual fleet, as the name of the fleet suggests, popped by occasionally. Of this group Tom Cochrane finished third. There was another fantastic and consistent season from Roger Crisp, who finished fourth. Russell Howarth also had a great series without the encumberment of a spinnaker.
Hopefully I'll see you at the Christmas dinner and prize giving on December 10th, where the winner's trophies will be presented.
Tony Bell, Novice Fleet Captain
Commodore's Note - I'd just like to add my own and the Club's appreciation for the time and skill Tony and the race team put into these 6 events in the warmer part of every season. The N&C has become a cornerstone event each month, as an introduction to the heartbeat of the Club and part of any new sailor's expanding horizons as they build confidence in a variety of conditions. On a more prosaic but important note, there were some long queues and delays in the cafe for lunch - we are sorting this out with the new operator.
Race Report
The final event (23rd September) of this year's Novice series must go down as one of the best. As promised, it was perfect sailing weather. A nice benign breeze to get everyone used to the course, building up to a stonking blow by the end of race 2, which continued for the rest of the event.
The word novices in this case is a misnomer, as anyone who witnessed the start of race two would testify. There were 24 boats battling for every inch of room on the line, a start which wouldn't have been out of place at a national open event.
The Novice fleet was won by Simon Flint, who after a poor first race certainly picked up the pace winning the next two. Potential series winner, Geoff Edwards, was struggling with the handicap of a full Laser (lLCA 7), but won the last race whilst battling with the top end of the Casual fleet.
Yesterday's racing could well have been called the Day of the Feva's, with next three places being taken by young, skilled and fired up crews. Brother and sister Andrew and Heather Homewood were very keen to beat Dad, Mike, which didn't look too promising as he finished first to their second in race one. However as the wind picked up they never looked back.
Emmy and Elina were very close behind, and probably would have done even better if they hadn't had to race without a tiller extension for races 1 and 2. Next was Sian Wilson who had a fantastic event with dad Tim as her crew.
What I really admired was the enjoyment these Feva sailors had, both prior to the racing and on the water. David Hodgson, just three weeks out of level two, was still showing he a natural sailor in his second event.
The next position was taken by Toby, whose afternoon points I'd inadvertently given to Leo, who was unable to compete after lunch, hence the confusion at the prize giving
I think the highlight of my day was Kyriakos heading over the line, with Lisa, who'd lost the hook to her harness. She stood upright on the gunnels of their Laser 2 which leaning at a good 45°, I've no idea how she was holding on. Their fist pump afterwards was a joy to behold.
At this point I must mention Rose from Women on Water who finished in the top half of the fleet in her first race.
There was an incredible strong casual fleet, with many club racers, who have improved so much from when they competed as novices. Tom Cochrane almost had a clean sweep, but Russell certainly enjoyed beating him in race three.
Alex and Amy, boat mates in various craft, had certainly forgotten about their camaraderie, with some very unorthodox race manoeuvres to get the better of one another. Amy coming out on top by a point.
Unfortunately for Nigel and Andy our square course didn't really give the angles required for the kites on their Vareo.
Young Alex Jarvis had a day that can only be described as a Singapore event . Much like Max Verstappen, he had won every event during the season, but with Dad at the Moth nationals it was left to Mum, Kirsten, to do the honours. Despite some very close to the line starts , they were unable to catch the Lasers.
Finally I must give a thank you to the race crew, two of whom were novices to this event themselves. Paul Fletcher and Mark Selinger, started off with very professional ideals, conforming to RYA regulations. Halfway through race three they fell into the novice spirit and realised that it's racing, but not as we know it. Also thanks to David and Chris for finding the buoy locker and setting the course. Volunteers, Margaret and Bob, are incredibly important members of the team, without whom I don't think we could run the day as successfully as we do.
Many thanks to everyone who's taken part this year, whether racing or helping, it's certainly been a memorable season. We will start all over again next year, in theory on Star Wars day, May 4th.
Tony
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Last updated 11:17 on 4 February 2024