Weymouth-Formula Report

10 May 2011

Weymouth Cup 1 - Great Event For Formula Sailors

 

The UK formula sailors headed to Weymouth for the 1st cup event on the ukwa event calendar, with a promising forecast for the weekend most sailors arrived early for some sailing on the Friday thanks to the extra days holiday. Racing got under way on Saturday with a 12 - 14 knot wind most sailors choosing to use 12 metre rigs, the question on every ones mind who would be on form for the first race of the year, Richard Jones was the man to beat last year but due to a mast extension breaking on the way out that was his hopes finished for the 1st race, Nick Ickye was the man to round the windward mark first much to the surprise of much of the fleet, a great improvement on last year but in true Nick fashion he shot of in the wrong direction, Dave Coles then went on to win followed by Tim Gibson and new to formula Daniel Skudder in third.Racing was very close through out the day but by the end of the first day it was Dave coles leading followed by Tim Gibson then Richard Jones.

Day two wind had increased to 18 - 22 knots maybe more during the gusts, most sailors were on 10 metres or less except Rich Jones who sailed all day on a 11 metre rig apart from dropping the rig a couple of times, he went on to win all 5 races. For the rest of the fleet racing was close, gybing to late on the final downwind leg and could loose 4 places. The day finished with Rich Jones up to 1st place, followed by Tim Gibson and Dave Coles dropping to 3rd.

Day 3

Wind 20-25 knots or more the fleet was much reduced owing to the wind and  water conditions but for the remaining fleet there was plenty to race for as places were only spilt by a point or two. Two races were held back to back before being sent in for lunch during which a thunder storm held up racing, following the storm the wind died, so there was a frantic rigging of 12 metre sails again, before being sent out for two more races. Sailors choose rigs  between 9mtr to 12mtrs as the wind was still very variable.

Results

The overall results for the first event were:

  1. 1st Rich Jones Starboard/Pryde
  2. 2nd Tim Gibson Gaastra/North
  3. 3rd Dave Coles ,Starboard/Severne

There were 3 newcomers to Formula at Weymouth Mark Palmer, Zak Page and Daniel Skudder who was sailing for Starboard/Tushingham. Daniel normally races Slalom but stepped onto a formula board for the weekend and showed great form.

Next on the calender some will be going to Belgium for the  first round of the North Sea Cup followed by a trip to Derwent Reservoir for the 2nd round of the Inland series. The second round of the cup series will be at Minnis Bay which is also round 2 of The North Sea Cup 28th/30th May. Anyone will be welcome to come and join us.