Burghfield Blaze training day and Open Meeting

The 2007 Blaze training day and Open Meeting was at Burghfield was held on the 28th and 29th April. On Saturday visitors and local sailors, expert and less experienced, shared views on how to set up the boat and the best way to sail it in different conditions. Then came practice on the water - follow-my-leader style - led by Mike Lyons, Dave Angwin and Simon Beddows where good technique could be observed and practiced. Two short practice races were then held with the starting order of the second race, in 10 second intervals, the reverse of the finishing place in the first!

In the afternoon, in the warm F2-3 breeze, the first formal race was held.
With others getting used to the water, the first three places were taken by the morning trainers and local sailors - Mike Lyons, Dave Angwin and Simon Beddows. Drinks on the balcony in the warm sunshine was followed by a genial meal in a local pub.

On Sunday our Race Officer Tim Carver (thanks Tim) ran three races, with the two club races being held inbetween - which worked well for all. In the light, shifty F1-2 racing was close in all three races.

In the first Sunday race (race 2), Mike Lyons led for the first two rounds but was beaten to the finish by Tim Davison of Royal Thames YC. Christian Smart from Pembrokeshire SC, sailing the second new Cirrus/Rondar Blaze to be built, took third place.

Race 3 was just two rounds in lighter midday winds and was won by Dave Angwin followed by Pete Barlow and, unusually, Mike Lyons down in third.

In the last race Christian Smart led at the end of the first round with Mike Lyons down in 7th place but in the next two rounds Mike was able to pull himself through the field to lead a raft of six boats crossing the line at the finish.

The final placings of the six to receive an etched glass at the prizegiving were Mike Lyons, David Angwin, Tim Davison, Christian Smart, Pete Barlow and Simon Beddows. All sixteen taking part thoroughly enjoyed close and competitive racing, warm hospitality and entertaining discussions on the balcony of Burghfield Sailing Club. Full results can be seen at www.burghfieldsailing.org