TSC’s 2019 GP Open excellent fleet of 17 boats was met with a challenging Force 5-6. With the wind SSW-SW and Tollesbury Fleet running largely east-west there was little chance for much in the way of beats and runs, and so after one general recall the first race was largely a reaching blast into the Blackwater Estuary and back. This was won in double quick time by James Goodfellow/Rick Conell from Harwich Town. followed by Richard Ham/Charlie Cotter, TSC and George Rogers/Jilly Wilkinson also TSC.
A more technical course into the creeks was set for the second race, during which around the 3rd mark a massive shifting gust had six boats over simultaneously, causing the rescue boats to be very busy. Amongst the carnage the leading boat remaining upright missed the next mark, with all but two boats playing follow my leader. Thus the only two finishers were “Magic’ Matyjaszcuk/Andy Ferrington followed by Andy Wadsworth/Cathy Howard, both from Welsh Harp.
After a squall which briefly eliminated visibility almost completely and with the tide having turned and a long beat back to the clubhouse to follow, the final race was a sprint square, won without drama by
Jack Lewis with S Matyjaszcuk, followed by Richard and Charlie and James and Rick. Most of the fleet omitted to notice that only a single lap had been set and proceeded to sail round another one, to no effect whatsoever.
Thus with one discard allowed, the winners were James and Rick with a first and a third over Richard and Charlie with two seconds. Fortunately, the sun came out for the prize giving and with the old adage, to finish first you must first finish proven yet again.
Follow the link below for the overall results:
