Race Results: Hill Foot Trophy : 19/06/2011

^1st Boat:   Tommohawk   44      Type:  Falcon                Skipper: Reece Tomlinson

^2nd Boat:  Nighthawk 35          Type   Falcon                Skipper: Adrian Dodd

3^rd Boat:  Harris Hawk 65         Type:  Falcon                Skipper: Ian Reading

 

Strong wind conditions made for an exciting start on this fathers day race, the large field for this race often found it difficult to stay upright as the wind shift were quite severe. Tommo hawk 44 followed by Night Hawk 35 & Millennium 33 made excellent starts leaving the rest of the field well behind as they rounded the first mark to head for Warrington. By the Gateworth mark No 6, Tommo hawk still held the lead from Nighthawk in turn still being tracked by Millennium & Redfoot 42.

Millennium 33 collided with mark No 6 and effectively ended it challenge in the race.

The wind conditions increased with a few sailors taking an early bath without the aid of red cards, but the sailing proved a great spectical for the large crowds out for their Sunday strolls on the river front.

By the halfway mark of the seven mile race Tommo hawk had made great progress and had established a good lead over the next 3 boats all Falcons who were able to handle the strong conditions better than most classes taking part.

As the race moved forward to its conclusion the lead that Tommo hawk had built was being eroded by Night hawk and Harris hawk and has all three boats came to the finish line Tommo Hawk took the honours by just 9 seconds from Night hawk who with Adrian Dodd at the helm produce his best performance of the season. As Tommo hawk crossed the line Helmsman Tony Tomlinson to the surprise of his crew and in celebration ran along the deck and dived into the river, very brave with 2 boats coming in to cross the line.

In Olympic terms he would have scored at least a 9 for his diving, whilst others where still trying to avoid getting wet but failing badly so, if you managed to stay dry that was some form of success

The safety boats had a busy afternoon and as the day concluded only one boat sustained slight damage. Our thanks to the safety boat crews, Dave, Sally, Ed & Craig. Our thanks also to the Officers of the day team of, Pat, Dave & Rob and for the after race refreshments to Sue W.

Next week it’s the turn of Fidlers Ferry Junior Team who race in the Southport 12 hr Race, this year being supported by Mersey Rail

Visitors are always welcome.

Yours faithfully

Colin Howard, Sailing Sec

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Race Results: Meacock Trophy Date: 15/05/2011…………

Location:  Fidlers Ferry Sailing Club, Warrington....

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

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

3^rd Boat:  Flash                  Type:  Laser            Skipper: Alex Rigby

The weather did not live up to the forecast, but did provide a large fleet of dinghies with enough challenges to make for a very interesting race day. With 2 safety craft in attendance the expectation of a few dunking was real but in reality only one crew went for a swim.

The early start meant that some crews were half a sleep on the start line, claiming tow individual recalls as the boats headed for Sankey Brook mark “READINGS SHOUT No7” were it proved difficult to make against the incoming tide after rounding the mark for the return to FFSC. For 20 minutes crews fought to make ground in shifting winds, boats duelling to gain advantage, position and tacking rights on that narrow stretch of water, eventually the top three and race winner made the break for the next mark gaining 5 minutes over the rest of the fleet but then the chase was on as the fleet tried hard to make in roads to their lead. The next section gave different problems with sand banks and changing wind directions which forced some boat into gardening on the reed beds and others in negotiating other boats at the marks. As the race progressed into in final stages the fleet had broke into 3 section were skill and experience proved to be useful alias in make good head way in a now outgoing tide. Even the leaders found the going difficult but had secured enough lead to see them home safely some 3 minutes ahead of the main fleet.

Reece Tomlinson led the way in his Laser, followed by his father in Tommohawk 44 who struggled to catch the Laser who mastered the adverse conditions well. Tommohawk was challenged for the 2^nd position by the Laser of Alex Rigby, who sailed well, but could not get past the Falcon successfully to assist her high handicap. In the end she took a well earned third place, well ahead of the 4^th place Falcon Cara Car 45 and chasing pack.

Other outstanding performances from Simon Rowan in his tiny Sunfish dinghy gave him a creditable 5th place on handicap and Silver Fleet Falcons, Sparrow hawk 14 belonging to Steve Whitehead & Red kite 32, Nick & Simon Lowe finishing 8^th & 9^th 

The race proved challenging, tiring but good fun, hot soup was the order of the day as the crews came ashore cold and wet for their refreshments. Best performance of the day came from Emma Flynn who was Officer of Day for the first time, managing the whole event on her own, excellent performance.

Thanks to all the safety boat crews for all their hard work and to Sue Worswick for the catering, a good day and challenging sailing.

Junior Sailing next weekend 21& 22 May at FFSC.

Visitors are always welcome.

 Colin Howard, Sailing Sec

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Officers of the Day Emma Flynn