Squib Eastern Region Championships 2014 24 Jun 2014
Eleven Squibs from RCYC nipped round the corner to a very welcoming Stone Sailing Club for the Eastern Regional Championships over the weekend of 14/15 June.
Under the organisational skills of Wendy Robinson, OOD, & Tony Gibson, Captain of Squibs at SSC, 29 boats hit the start line on Saturday for some triangle/sausage action. Challenging light conditions and drizzle (!) in the first race did at one stage see spinnakers used on the beat. It was a Corinthian one/two with Micky Wright & Chris Dunn Spoof 811 taking line honours, closely followed by Robert Coyle & Ian Simmons, Humphrey 823.
The wind and the ‘I’ flag materialised for the next race, which saw Squib newcomer Stu Rix crewed by NSOA Chairman Steve Warren-Smith Aquabat 13 take top spot, beating Spoof into second place. Malcy Hutchings & Andy Ramsey Lady Penelope 819 were 4th.
Nigel & Jack Grogan, in their shiny new Squib 881, rediscovered their form to take Race Three by some margin. However, with a 3rd place to add to their tally, the Spoof guys were in the top spot at the end of a fantastic day.
It was straight off the water and into the legendary SSC showers for a post race scrub up. The Championship dinner proved entertaining as ever and miraculously at 11pm a big screen was wheeled out for the footie! Most Burnham Squibs were more than a little grateful for the lift home provided by the SSC minibus. Some eminent Squibbers (including our overnight leader) skipped the commute and chose their vans as a resting place instead.
No Sunday morning lie-ins allowed, so we trotted out to our boats for a bleary eyed start at 10:30. The overnight kip in “hotel de Volkswagen” obviously did no harm, as it was line honours again for Micky and Chris in Race Four. Phil Aspinall & Howie Enkel Guy Fawkes 72 took 5th place. Race Five went to the 2015 Eastern’ Hosts, Gerard & Salty Alchemy 800. New RCYC member Mike Probert & Melanie Titmus Pani Munta 128 took second place, with the Grogans sailing into 3rd.
It was hard fought in the middle of the fleet throughout the weekend. Gina & Alex Porteous Festina Lente 678),did battle with Denise Sinclair in Squib 58 for leading lady helm, switching positions around the race course and trying to get lucky with the wind shifts. Duncan Grindley & Jools Briggs Surprise 760 lead the charge in the last race of the weekend hitting 7th position until unfortunate gear failure with their spinnaker halyard saw Gina & Alex sneak past at the last moment to take 10th & 11th respectively.
Simon Sanders & Hannah TavenorWhat’s the story 779 came in 16th and Phil Shanahan & Noel Sutcliffe Crackers 25 took 19th. Carl Anderson & Jason Phelps Magic Roundabout 736 took the opportunity to do a little fishing with their spinnaker, opting for an early retirement and first place in the lift out queue!
After a well organised craning out at Bradwell Marina, it was back to the club for prizegiving, with RCYC Squibs dominating across the board. Micky & Chris were popular champions and the Grogans came in third, with Micky delivering the thank-you on behalf of the competitors. RCYC had six boats in the top ten, and all RCYC Squibs finished in the top twenty. A fabulous weekend was had by all, Stone were welcoming and social hosts and we look forward to doing more events at the club – bring on the Nationals!
Overall Results
- Micky Wright & Chris Dunn, Spoof 811
- Nigel & Jack Grogan, new shiny boat 881
- Gerard Dyson &Tony Saltonstall, Alchemy 800
- Leading lady crew: Melanie Titmus
- Leading lady helm: Gina Porteous
RCYC Results
- 5. Michael Probert & Melanie Titmus, Pani Munta 128
- 7. Malcolm Hutchings & Andy Ramsey, Lady Penelope
- 8. Robert Coyle& Ian Simmons, Humphrey 823
- 9. Phillip Aspinall & Howie Enkel, Guy Fawkes 72
- 13.Gina Porteous & Alex Porteous, Festina Lente 678
- 15. Simon Sanders & Hannah Tavenor, What’s the Story 779
- 16. Duncan Grindley & Jools Briggs, Surprise 760
- 18. Carl Anderson & Jason Phelps, Magic Roundabout 736
- 19. Phil Shanahan & Noel Sutcliffe, Crackers 25