Blazes at Felpham

On Sunday, 3 July, there was the annual Blaze Event that formed part of Felpham Sailing Club's Regatta. 13 Blazes took to the water in pretty much perfect conditions. The sun was out, a force 3 to 4 South Westerly was blowing and the wave conditions were excellent.

Mike Lyons from Burghfield had won the event last year and he had no plans to get beaten by any Blazes on this occasion. The Race Officer decided on a 'P' type course with the start line being set off the club. The first race started on the high tide. The line was biased towards the club end and spectators on the promenade must have felt they could have almost touched the dinghies as they jostled for position in the surf to get the best start. However the best placings were made from those coming fast off the line just a bit out to sea. Peter Jones (Felpham) pushed hard up the first beat followed closely by Lyons. At the windward mark they turned on to a tight reach that allowed Jones to use his extra weight to hold Lyons at bay. However after the gybe, Lyons took advantage of his planning ability and eased past Jones. Paul Hemsley (Burghfield) had taken control of the third position up the first beat but was pushed hard on all the down wind legs by Ross Fisher (Felpham) who showed outstanding wave sailing technique. Jones came back at Lyons on the second beat but was unable to get through and Lyons was able to slowly pull away to take first place with Jones in second and Hemsley holding off Fisher to take third.

In the second race, Jones again held onto the lead for the first beat and even tighter reach. However, Lyons was biding his time for the broad reach and this time he sailed underneath Jones and into the lead. In third place Fisher had taken advantage of a good start to hold off Hemsley. He reeled in Jones down the run but was unable to pass. Lyons was not challenged again and took the first place with Jones holding second and Fisher holding off Hemsley for the third slot. Behind them came Stuart Brown (Burghfield), Simon Caird (Felpham) who has only just started sailing this type of boat, Stewart Pegum (Burghfield) and Paul Taylor (Burghfield).

After lunch, the fleet went out to a course with a longer beat which slightly deepened the first reach. The start line was only slightly biased to the pin end and all boats came off it at speed. Hemsley crossed the fleet in front and made it to the windward mark first. The boats were closer packed in this race and Jones came round next with Lyons and Fisher only just behind. Jones was able to come over the top of Hemsley on the beam reach but yet again was unable to hold off Lyons on the broad second reach. He went on to win but the race was not over for the other positions. Up the second beat Brown had gone out to sea and picked up a lift that brought him into the windward mark on Jones' transom. Brown was unable to get through on the beam reach and then Hemsley who had passed Fisher at the windward mark then chased Brown and went past downwind.

Overall results

1. Mike Lyons (Burghfield)

2. Peter Jones (Felpham)

3. Paul Hemsley (Burghfield)

4. Ross Fisher (Felpham)

5. Stuart Brown (Burghfield)