Bridlington Raceboard Report

Cup3 - Bridlington.

Last weekend saw the 3^rd of this year's cup events in Bridlington. This pretty seaside resort is the most northerly venue for the national series.

The outlook for the weekend was good, with warm sunny weather and steady cross onshore winds forecast for both days.

Saturday

Race-1 started in around 8 knots of wind and saw light weights Jon White and Rob Kent take to the front of the fleet followed by Mark Kay and Dave Hackford. Rob Kent finally got the better of Jon on the last down wind leg to win. Mark Kay politely sailed an extended course on the last run to allow Tom Naylor and Dave Hackford to slip through into 3^rd and 4^th.

Race-2 saw both Rob Kent and Jon White over the line at the start and forced to go round the ends. This left Mark Kay to storm into an un-assailable lead up the 1^st beat followed by Alan Jackson and Dave Hackford. Some fairly energetic pumping from Rob and Jon allowed them to work their way back through fleet into 2^nd and 3^rd behind Mark.

Race-3 again saw Mark charge to the front of the fleet pursued by Rob Kent with Tom and Dave chasing at their heels. Rob finally managed to sneak past Mark on the final reach to steal 1^st place with Mark followed by Tom and Dave.

Race-4, with the wind building just a little Tom Naylor found some impressive upwind speed to pull away from the fleet. Rob Kent managed to pass Tom on the final run only for Tom to overtake again on the last reach. So Tom 1^st, Rob 2^nd and Mark close behind in 3^rd place.

Race-5 again Tom showed the fleet a clean pair of heels on the 1^st lap pursued by Mark with Rob and Dave someway behind in 3^rd and 4^th. Mark got the better of Tom downwind on the 2^nd lap and taking his revenge after the 4^th race Rob planed past Tom on the last leg to grab 2^nd.

With racing over focus shifted to the evening entertainment including a pool party in the local leisure centre laid on free of charge by the local council.

Sunday

A lovely day with lots of discussion and rig tuning BUT…

The gradient wind battled all day with the sea breeze making it impossible for the race crew to set a course and finally racing was abandoned.

Overall Rob Kent was 1^st just 1 point ahead of Mark Kay with Tom Naylor showing good form in 3^rd Place. Annette Kent was 1^st lady in 7^th place overall.

So heading to the next event at The Mumbles Rob Kent and Mark Kay are tying for 1^st place in the series with Chris Gibson, Dave Hackford and Jon White still close behind with everything to play for.

Annette Kent will have her new 8.5XR on the water for the 1^st time so the boys had better watch out.

Cheers,

Rob.