Destruction derby at Mengeham Rythe

You had to be there! Only seven Blazes braved the weather forecast to join the large Finn fleet at Mengeham Rythe. Despite the billing, Saturday was sailed in the Harbour due to the Race Officer's concerns about the state of the Bar, and in Force 5/6 that was understandable. It was still pretty awesome inside with some big waves, sufficient for Dave Angwin to break his mast in the first race. Paul Hemsley was the first to settle in to the conditions with two confortable firsts, followed home (at some distance!) by Pete Barlow in the first race and John Abbott in the second race. Both the Blazes and the Finns persuaded the Race Officer (not much persuasion needed!) that he really didn't want to run a third race. We all retired early and enjoyed a great meal and excellent Quiz Night. The Blazing Finn team cheated hard combining with the Finn All-Stars to achieve a good result, although no-one can remember what it was!

Sunday dawned with a nice Force 4/5. Pete had picked up a new mast from Mike Lyons (something about a bad back!?) overnight to get Dave back on the water. Paul confirmed his domination with another win, although Dave was showing signs of getting the hang of the waves until the waves wiped the boat out from underneath him down the first reach. Pete was second home followed by John Abbott in his Mk1 who was showing some pretty good form! Race 4 and Dave got his act together, leading from start to finish in an ever increasing wind, followed home by Pete and Paul. Race 5, and 25 mph again, and the Blazes didn't want to play any more. It was manic! Dave started and so did Pete (3 minutes later, something about not having realised they had started!). Dave waited for Pete at the leeward mark, to "make a race of it". Pete returned the compliment by beating him!

The roller coaster ride home over the Bar was scary! Pete broke his boom. John broke his mast and put a hole through his foredeck. Steve Duncan sailed home early on his own (the rest of us were told by the Race Officer to wait for rescue cover to accompany us). Steve is clearly not only deaf but also on returning to the Club said "Bar, what Bar?".

Finally, mention must be made of the leaps and bound improvements that Bob Yates is making. In almost every race as the rest of us were finishing after a triangle and a sausage, he was just finishing the triangle. However, he showed complete mastery of the conditions surviving the hare-raising, breakneck run back over the Bar! Respect!

Altogether an incredible weekend! We really must do more of this!

Overall results:

1st Paul Hemsley Burghfield SC
2nd Pete Barlow Burghfield SC
3rd John Abbott Oxford SC
4th Dave Angwin Burghfield SC
5th Steve Duncan Newhaven and Seaford SC
6th Bob Yates Burghfield SC
7th David Proctor Mengeham Rythe SC