Blazes at Queen Mary Sailing Club April 7th & 8th

A good fleet of Blazes took part in the Bank of Scotland sponsered Topper Gala event on April the 6th and 7th.

Racing on Saturday took part in wind strengths of F3 -4 with occasionally stronger gusts.

In race 1 Chris Coleman (544) and Andy Skynner fought a close battle swapping places a number of times until the last lap during which Coleman eventual pulled away to win. Skynner finished second with Roger Williams (612) in third, and John Abbott (574) in fourth place.

In race 2 The fleet was joined by Mike Lyons (654) sailing his new ex Sailboat Blaze in its first open. Mike had sat out the first race whilst he sorted a few 'teething' problems but emerged from the start at the front of the fleet with Coleman, and these two after some close racing finished first and second followed by Williams in third place and Skynner in fourth place.

In race 3 Mike Lyons rapidly gaining in confidence led from start to finish followed again by Coleman, Williams, and Skynner.

On Sunday the wind had drooped slightly ranging from F2 -4.

Race 4 Mike Lyons again went quickly to the front of the fleet followed by Coleman, Skynner and Williams. Whilst there was some interaction amongst the latter three, Lyons went on to win unchallenged.

Race 5 Lyons led away followed by Skynner, Williams and Coleman. Williams pulled through Skynner on the second beat and Coleman and Skynner swapped places a few times. At the finish the order was Lyons,Williams, Skynner & Coleman.

In the final race Lyons who had the event in the bag, took off in front again followed by Skynner and Coleman.

Coleman pulled through Skynner but could not catch Lyons, who crossed the line first followed by Coleman and Skynner who narrowly beat Williams.

This event was the first open meeting in which the Blaze was sailed with the new rig developed by the class association in conjunction with Sobstad and intended, to improve the boats handling characteristics. Mike Lyons and Roger Williams were using the new 10 m rig whilst Chris Coleman and Andy Skynner were sailing the older 10.4m rig.

Overall results:

1st: Mike Lyons (Burghfield S.C.)
2nd Chris Coleman (Warsash S.C.)
3rd Roger Williams (Burghfield S.C.)
4th Andy Skynner (Chichester Y.C.)
5th Dave Evans (Calshot S.C.)
6th John Abbott (Oxford S.C.)
7th Paul Taylor (Burghfield S.C.)
8th Mark Jones (Chichester Y.C.)