Location: Fidlers Ferry Sailing Club, Warrington.
Overall position after 1 Race
1st Boat: 153632 Type: Laser Skipper: Alan Dodd
2nd Boat: Nighthawk 35 Type Falcon Skipper: Adrian Dodd
3rd Boat: Stonehawk 65 Type: Solo Skipper: Geoff Platt
The weather forecast gave out some really poor weather, heavy rain and gale force winds and they weren’t wrong, unfortunately.
A large field of boats set out racing in front of the clubhouse against the incoming tide, even before the start most boats were unable to stem that tide and were taken up river away from the start line. 2 boats made good starts Alan Dodd on his Laser and Millennium Falcon 33 in his pursuit to the No2 mark and the first turn. Soon other boats made the break up to 2 and by the half way point in the race only 4 boats figured strongly. Alan Dodd had made gained an impressive lead over the chasing pack, in conditions that did favour the larger Falcon fleet
In these conditions, but birthday boy Alan 16 today made it look quite easy. Millennium 33 was being chased by Nighthawk 35 & Stone Hawk 65 as they turned at Sankey Brook mark No 7. Millennium was still holding off the other Falcons with a slender lead but now the racing became harder as the driving was in the crew’s faces. As the boats passed the clubhouse on their way to the final turning mark at No 1
Nighthawk had just got in front of Millennium who in turn was being challenged by Stone hawk, a battle for the line commenced with less than 60 yards separating the pursuing Falcons. As the falcons turned the final mark the buzzer was announcing a brilliant win for birthday boy Alan winning by over half a mile from the chasing pack.
Night hawk 35 led the charge for the line being followed by Millennium 33 & Stone Hawk 35 as they closed quickly on nighthawk. With only yards separating the finishing boats Night Hawk 35 took second place behind son Alan and Millennium 33 crossed the line third only to be given fourth place on handicap to Stone hawk 65. It was along time before the rest of the field trickled back over the finishing line
Some of the smaller class boat struggled with the condition which gave the 2 safety boats a lot to do. But over all the condition were challenging but did provide some exciting sailing as the clubs warms up for sailing at the Menai Straits Regatta in two weeks.
Officers of the day was Bob & Pat Backhouse who managed the racing and scoring well and all the safety boat team of Ed, Craig, Tom & Chris, and piping hot soup being laid on by our social sec Sue Worswick.
Today was a great birthday present for one of FFSC up and coming young sailors, Alan performed well and as a result took the line honours well done and happy birthday from the members of FFSC
Yours faithfully
Colin Howard, Sailing Sec
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