Blazes at Fed Week-Report

The 2008 installment of Chichester Harbour's annual Federation week saw four entrants from the Blaze corner.  They lined up on the start line along side Laser 2000s, 420s, RS all sorts and a smattering of Wayfarers et al to form the 32 strong, modestly named "medium handicap" fleet.

With the first two days of racing postponed due to conditions reminiscent of hurricane Gustav (just recently found off the coast of New Orleans scaring off the Republican party) the Blazes, doubtless chomping at the proverbial bit, put in a fine showing, despite  persisting rough conditions, with three of four boats in the top ten spots after wednesday's first race.   By the end of the second, Andy Hewitt (Rondar) led the fleet with a Laser 2000 in pursuit.  

After a 5th and a DNS for Mike Lyons on wednesday, he recovered spectacularly to take both of thursdays races, moving him up to third, with Hewitt tying for 1st with a Wayfarer, after a 4th and 2nd.  Close racing indeed!

There was still everything to play for in friday's racing then.   Perhaps mindful of the battering it had given the competitors so far, the light Northerly that launched sailors on friday died and was overrided by a South Westerly, which in the words of the official report then itself "reversed."  As a friend of mine once put it, 'light an' sh*te.'

For the Blazes it was a day of mixed fortunes, Lyons carried the first race, pursued by the Wayfarer, with Hewitt in fourth.   Lighter airs apparently favoured Lyons as he took 2nd in the final race, ahead of Hewitt in 4th, but they favoured the Wayfarer more, who won it, to take the series on countback (equal points with Lyons).

Hewitt finished 3rd, Kent Mayson in a very respectable 7th, another who performed better in the strong breeze, followed by Peter Barlow in 10th.
With all boats finishing inside the top 3rd a very positive result for the Blazes, congratulations to all and especially Mike Lyons and Andy Hewitt who, if one reads the offical race reports, certainly kept everybody guessing.

I feel though, there is a moral to be learnt here.   For victory in such varied conditions, teamwork is required, where were the dirty start line tactics?   Where was the covering of threatening boats (a certain Wayfarer springs to mind)?   Tut tut boys, this isn't cricket!

Jon (611) Saunders.