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Wayfarer
Open at West Oxfordshire SC
24-25 April 2010
By Mike Hobin and Laura Hutchins
Seventeen teams, from as far away as Suffolk, enjoyed a convivial weekend of social and sailing activity. There was close sailing at all parts of the fleet as boats rivalled each other in mastery of the shifting, fluky winds. Our sterling race officers set challenging beats across a lake full of gusts, lifts and holes that left some boats in irons while others streaked by. Dead runs were hard to find in the shifts, but spinnakers were used to good effect by many and created a beautiful scene of bright colours across the lake.
The first of the five-race series began in sparkling sunshine and a 10 knot southerly breeze, allowing race officer Martin Gibson to make full use of the lake. Quick out of the blocks was local sailor Adrian Hollier crewed by Rod Helyar, though it was only a matter of time before the emerging spinnakers of Ian Richards and Scott Hamilton were to overhaul them. By the time the fleet settled down to it’s pre-arranged evening supper, the race board indicated Richards comfortably in pole position, followed by Hollier and Wayfarer stalwart John Tipton, ably crewed by Debbie Sheather, holding third.
Sunday dawned to light drizzle and a challenging fickle wind that tested competitors and race management alike. The well-behaved fleet were away first time and the oscillating wind meant there was always something to play for. Hollier led throughout, though the father and daughter team of Ian & Amy Richards were right there at the finish to give them a well-deserved second and take the meeting with a race in hand.
This event is an integral part of the WOSC calendar, inspiring some of our top sailors to try their hand at wayfarer sailing and challenging our regulars and visitors. As always, we welcome a range of boats, from red woodie Yum Yum W395, to the modern and efficient Hitch Hiker W10691. The club looks forward to welcoming all visitors again next year.
First : Ian Richards, W10570
Second: Adrian Hollier, W6788
Third: John Tipton, W8080
First Lady: Liz Feibusch, W10601
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