The Blaze Class Association would like to thank the club for stepping in when our planned meeting at Weston was not possible at very short notice. While numbers were down (11) as a result the wind was up and all enjoyed the racing. It was good to see a few new faces from BSC join in and both Darren Smith and Will Hemsley in particular proved competitive in the conditions. Will's first race was on Saturday in a borrowed boat so he did remarkably well to finish 3rd overall and if he can find time in his Laser diary we'd love to see him at future events. Special thanks also to John Vail who was able to sort out some (local) prizes with only 3 days notice and to Topper who are providing some additional items. The association charged entrants a nominal entry as a 'guest fleet' - the surplus after prizes will be donated to 'Sailability' the disabled sailing charity supported by BSC.Regards - Mike Lyons - Blaze Class AssociationPhotos from the Training Day at Burghfield Sailing Club taken by both Simon Smith and Paul Hemsley are now posted on the Burghfield web site at:

http://www.burghfieldsc.org.uk/opendaypix/OpenDay2002.html

 

Race Report

from Chris Coleman

With Weston cancelled, Burghfield Sailing Club kindly offered to host a training and open meeting for Blazes on May 18 & 19. 

Saturday morning was spent with Mike Lyons, the technical wizard, tuning the new rig and assembling a brand new boat for Ian Moss.  This proved an interesting addition for visitors to the Burghfield Open Day who watched a Blaze X being built from boxes and bags! 

After lunch a training session afloat included swimming practice for a few in a gusty fifteen knot breeze with Mike Lyons and John Abbott paying a visit to the on site ‘Mayday’ chandlery for kicker bits after a sudden twenty five knot squall. 

The Saturday race started in a shifty South Westerly.   Chris Coleman, in his new boat, and Roger Williams were forced to the left of the islands and dropped back before tacking into a big lift which took them to the windward mark ahead of the chasing pack. Mike Lyons overtook Williams and then match raced Coleman for four laps.  Coleman would fly upwind only to be passed by Lyons downwind, luckily for Coleman the finish was at the windward mark and he won with Lyons second Williams third. 

On Sunday the eleven Blazes started Race two with the Medium Handicap in the club race start sequence, but as eight boats were at home disruption was minimal.   Mike Lyons rounded the windward mark eighth and was held back by fellow Burghfield members who were enjoying the view astern to Mike. Who said training days don’t pay!   He finally broke clear on the third lap, caught and overtook Williams but could not catch Coleman before the finish. 

Race three was a closely fought battle between Lyons, Coleman and Will Helmsley of the Laser youth squad sailing a demo boat.  He lead for most of the race but as the wind increased  the seasoned campaigners Lyons followed by Coleman passed him on the final beat to the line. 

By race four Coleman had the meeting wrapped up but Helmsley could edge second if he won and this was enough to entice Lyons back out to the race track after tea. With an increasing wind Darren Smith used his ‘athletic’ advantage to round the windward mark alongside Lyons who hit the mark, gybed and capsized.   Coleman, who was luffed and left in irons at the start by Helmsley pulled through to lead at the leeward mark.  Lyons recovered well with a few downwind  ‘Burghfield Blasts’ to lead at the final leeward mark from Coleman and Helmsley.

On the final beat the wind increased again and Coleman managed to overtake Lyons whose outing was rewarded with the overall runners up slot. 

The class would like to thank Burghfield Sailing Club for stepping into the breech and supporting a well run and well supported event. Topper International Ltd. donated generous prizes and it was unanimously agreed that the Blaze Class Associations proceeds should be donated to the charity ‘Sailability’.  

1st     Chris Coleman               Warsash S.C                  1,1,2,1                3pts
2nd    Mike Lyons                    Burghfield S.C                2,3,1,2,               5pts
3rd     Will Helmsley                 Burghfield S.C                6,2,3,3                8pts
4th     Darren Smith                Burghfield S.C                4,-,4,4               12pts
5th     Roger Williams               Burghfield S.C                3,8,5,5              13pts