Blazes at Felpham Regatta - Sunday 11 July 2004

Five visiting Blazes, all from Burghfield, joined 3 of the home Club's Blazes in Felpham Sailing Club's Open Regatta on Sunday 11 July. Competing in a mixed handicap fleet against a wide variety of dinghies including 29ers, a 505, Tasars, RS200s, Lasers and many others; the Blazes performed well both on handicap and on the water. The glorious sunshine and SW Force 4-5 which the South Coast venue had seen on Saturday was unfortunately not repeated on Sunday, which dawned with a gentle off-shore breeze shifting back and forth 20 degrees at a time, and light rain. Paul Hemsley, Dave Angwin and Mike Lyons, read the shifts well (must be the Burghfield training!) and led the fleet around accompanied by one of the 29ers. Dave, and the rest of the fleet, then fell into a hole while Paul followed by Mike escaped to open up a big lead. Mike squeezed past Paul on the final run to finish Blazes 1st and 2nd. By the second race the wind had shifted more to the West and increased to a nice F3-4. Mike and Dave went inshore up the first beat and opened up a comfortable lead. The 29er had managed to get out in front but was still beaten on handicap. Paul who had gone up the other side of the beat recovered to finish 3rd, followed by Pete Jones from Felpham also coming back strongly after a poor start and Ross Fisher also of Felpham. By the third race the wind was a good F4, with flat out hiking and some wonderful waves. The Tasars showed their form in these conditions with one leading the way followed by Pete Jones, who finally got the conditions he had been praying for with a fine example of power sailing. He was not allowed to get away though, with Mike, Paul, Ross and Dave hanging on hard but unable to close the gap.

Overall a great day with a warm welcome from Felpham SC which should do them no harm in their bid to hold next year's Nationals.

Overall

1st Blaze 654 Mike Lyons Burghfield

2nd Blaze 656 Paul Hemsley Burghfield

3rd Blaze 710 Dave Angwin Burghfield

4th Blaze 683 Pete Jones Felpham

5th 29er Queen Mary

6th Blaze 673 Ross Fisher Felpham