Squibs’ Easter Weekend 17 Apr 2017

Thirteen Squibs made the start line at some point over the weekend with more than 30 people involved  …. it was a great start to the season.  And they had close racing over two events, as Phil Aspinall sailing Guy Fawkes reports:

It was an action packed programme for the Squibs as they held their short course challenge for the Rice & Cole Cheeseboard trophy on Friday and the Mike Flint trophy over the weekend.

Eleven entrants for the cheeseboard is the highest in its history and the fact that there were different podium positions in all four races is a testament to the closeness of the racing. The first race was won by By The Lee (Nic Tolhurst and Mel Titmus) after a close duel with podium regulars Spoof (Micky Wright and Alex Porteous). Indeed Spoof was there to secure race 2 win from debutants Jack Grogan and Alison Aspinall in Helmut Shoing.  Race 3 saw the same boats on the podium, this time with the youngsters in first place.  At last the yellow boat, Guy Fawkes (Phil and Marion Aspinall) was performing for the final race to spoil the podium party and register the win.  Over a substantial 'soaker' of a lunch and the traditional port drinking, the final positions unravelled with Jack and Alison lifting the trophy on count back over Spoof with By The Lee only one point adrift in third.

Spoof went one place better in the fifth race of the Mike Flint competition, securing the trophy with only first and second places to count. They were pushed hard by Guy Fawkes as regular crew Howie Enkel joined as crew, leaving Spoof needing to beat them on the final brought day to secure the trophy. Once again the honours were shared across the fleet with Humphrey (Robert Coyle and Marc Rawinsky) performing best with two wins and in the final race Lady Penelope (Malcolm Hutchings with various crews) emerged from the peleton and got back to winning ways.