Race Results: Caldwell Cup Date: 17/04/2011

Location:  Fidlers Ferry Sailing Club, Warrington.

Overall position after 2 Races

^1st  Boat:  186534               Type:  Laser             Skipper: Reece Tomlinson

^2nd Boat:  Cara Cara           Type   Falcon          Skipper: Ernie Griffiths

3^rd Boat:  2324                    Type:  Solo              Skipper: Bob Backhouse

3^rd Boat:  Tommohawk        Type  Falcon         Skipper Tony Tomlinson

The sunshine & hot weather were super, sun cream and cold drinks the order of the day and trying to sail with no wind, total frustration. With big tides this week many of the FFSC offshore boats set sail for the summer season and over the last 2 days 9 boats have left the Mersey for all parts of Wales and Ireland, a really good job they have engines!

With a very large field of boats mostly from the smaller classes 2 Short Course where set, with the destination of Monks Bridge. Who could drift the fastest essentially was the race and even that was cut short as the tide turned against them on the opening race, only 2 boats mastered the conditions with Reece Tomlinson leading the field on his Laser from Ernie Griffiths in Falcon Cara Cara the only boats to reach the final Mark

Race 2 The fleet regrouped at Mark No 7 opposite Sankey Brook with all boats getting a reasonable start with all boats staying close together, but as the boats turned at the penultimate bend a slight breeze appeared and soon sails started to fill and then the race was on for the finish. This allowed the smaller boats to make  use of their handicaps with the result young junior Caitlin Whitehead kept in touch with the main fleet to claim a much deserved fourth spot and veteran sailor Bob Backhouse in his Solo to claim 3^rd place and a 3^rd overall place for the two races. Simon Rowan in his Sunfish claimed 2^nd behind race and competition winner Reece Tomlinson. It seems that so far Reece in untouchable which means that all the rest have to bring up their game.

Good performances from Silver Fleet boats of Steve Whitehead & Nick Lowe in Sparrow hawk & Red kite respectively are making grounds on the main Falcon fleet sailors. The hardest worked crew to day were the safety boat teams who had there work cut out to keep the racing going and ensure safety standards were maintained.

After the race Social Sec Sue Worswick handed out Easter Eggs to FFSC juniors, a big thank you to the Officers of the day for all their hard work and the bar staff for all the cold drinks made ready for some very thirsty sailors.

Colin Howard

Sailing Sec

Officers of the Day today, Sue Worswick, Pat Backhouse & Emma Flynn

Race Results: Claire House regatta Day 2 Date: 03/04/2011

Location:  Fidlers Ferry Sailing Club, Warrington.

Overall position after 2 Races

^1st  Boat:  186534               Type:  Laser             Skipper: Reece Tomlinson

(Overall Regatta Winner) aged 17

^2nd Boat:  Tommohawk 44  Type   Falcon          Skipper: Tony Tomlinson

3^rd Boat:  Rsend 1948        Type:  Albacore      Skipper: Alex Rigby

The racing programme was designed for two races over our longest courses for today’s event; these longer courses would test the skill and stamina of all the participants and their boats.

A very strong field of 16 boats lined up on the start line for race 1 taking 12-30 pm cannon. A clean start was made by all boats as they headed for Warrington navigation around a number of markers along the way. This race was about tactics and not getting to the halfway mark before the tide had stopped running in. This proved to be a problem for half the fleet who arrived too early and were swept under the arches of Monks Hall bridge and through to Unilever works.

At this point the fleet separated into two fleets, those who made the right call and were heading for home and those who had to wait a further ten minutes before they could make headway and head for home.

The Laser of Reece Tomlinson yesterdays overall winner had built up a big lead over Harris Hawk 64 and Tommohawk 44 who had no chance of catching him unless he made a very big mistake, this was not to happen. Reece made the final mark heading for the line finish well clear of the field, which had all caught each other up after being held by the strong outgoing tide. As the tide eased the fleet made headway again with Tommohawk finish second and the Albacore of Alex Rigby claiming a well earned third place

The next race saw the Albacore take an early lead, a lead which they would not loose leading the fleet from start to finish over this 4 mile course. The fight for second position was to remain a secret until the very last minute with boats changing positions as they rounded a series of difficult marks and slacking winds, but finally Tommohawk coming from along way back finally got the better of Reece Tomlinson pushing him into third place with Stone hawk 65 close behind to take 4^th spot.

The final placing after 7 races and two days of competition saw Reece Tomlinson win the Claire House Regatta Trophy with Father Tony Tomlinson coming second and Alex Rigby third.

The event raised over £180 for Claire House Hospice, so a big thank you to Sally Thompson as race organiser for this event and all those that made this event possible, the safety boat teams and the officers of the day.

Colin Howard
Sailing Secretary

Race Results: Claire House regatta Day 1 Date: 02/04/2011

Location:  Fidlers Ferry Sailing Club, Warrington.

Overall position after 5 Races

^1st  Boat:  186534               Type:  Laser             Skipper: Reece Tomlinson

^2nd Boat:  Tommohawk 44  Type   Falcon         Skipper: Tony Tomlinson

3^rd Boat:  Redfoot 42          Type:  Falcon          Skipper: Ian Scouler

This is the first full Claire House Regatta hosted by Fidlers Ferry the object was to fund raise for this most worthy project in its care as a hospice for children. 5 race were scheduled for day one, but there were doubts as to whether this would go a held with winds gusting to 30mph just before the start of the first race, but in the end the decision to go was given and the first was under way over a 2 mile course.

Reece Tomlinson quickly mastered the condition and showed many of the far more experienced sailors the way home; this was to be repeated in the next two races leaving a large field of boats to fight for the other two remaining places on the podium.

Short Course racing does not allow for mistakes, so those who can stay clear of trouble usually make the best headway. As the racing progressed the winds dropped to a steady 15mph making life a little easier for the boats and crews.

A large crowd at both the Sailing Club and the Ferry inn were entertained to some really good sailing as the day brightened up and the temperature raised.

By the start of Race four some crews changed but not the race order. On 5 races only the best 4 results count discarding a boats worst result so there was a lot to sail for. By race four the tide was on the ebb which makes the tactics for racing slightly different and for the first time in the afternoon the leading boat was relegated to following instead of leading as the fleet closed up and positions changing on a regular basis.

Tony Tomlinson Snr fought a fantastic dual with Ian Scouler in Redfoot 42 with 3 boats heading for the finishing line at full speed, but the honour went to Tony Tomlinsons, Tommohawk 44 by half a boat length from Redfoot 42.

The final Race of the day saw Alex Rigby put in a final challenge coming form no where on the final leg to gain third place in her Albacore RSEND 1948 but again Tommohawk 44 and Redfoot 42 made the ground from the start to reach the first mark ahead of the following fleet

And after 3 hours + sailing the finish line was a welcome sight

Day two on Sunday reverts to the tradition race model with two long distant races; more boats are expected for this event which so far has proven to be successful for raising funds for Claire House.

Thanks to Emma Flynn OD Craig Hinkin & Dave Thompson for safety boat cover and race organiser Sally Thompson;

Ready for Day 2 watch this space.

Colin Howard
Sailing Secretary