A lovely sunny day welcomed the 28 competitors to the Attenborough hosted inter-club competition between us, Nottingham and Trent Valley Sailing Clubs. The wind was very variable causing problems to course setting for Race Officer, Bob Ceurstemont. The first race sawa ‘beat’ to no 4 mark. Mike Pritchard started to leeward of the fleet and ended up at the first mark in the lead, which he held to the end of the race, taking line and handicap honours. The positions in the rest of the fleet oscillated as the wind and dropped all over the pond. Paul Jago eventually came second on handicap from Roger Poat and Michael Brookman in an Albacore, sadly one of only three two-handed boats in the whole fleet.
After an excellent lunch we had effectively two back to back races. Mike Pritchard led again but was eventually overtaken by Albacores and Lasers. The race was won on the water by Chris Abbott of Nottingham in his new RS Aero 9, but he ended up third on handicap behind Paul Jago and James Dalby of Trent Valley. After two races, Paul led overall from Mike Pritchard and Alley Britton of Trent Valley.
The third race started in slightly stronger winds. Chris Abbott of Nottingham took and early lead holding it to the end. On the water he was joined in the top four by other Nottingham boats, Martin Hewitt in an Aero and the Albacores of Steve Bailey and Chris Poat. Chris won on handicap from MIke Pritchard and Paul Jago in his Streaker, only 18 seconds covered teh top three on corrected times.
A second place for Mike Pritchard meant he tied for first overall with Paul Jago on 3 points, with Chris Abbott of Nottingham third on 4 points and James Dalby of Trent Valley fourth on 7 points. To celebrate 60 years as a club, Nottingham Sailing Club kindly presented a sliver plate to the overall winner, winners in this case.
Overall, in the club competition, all three clubs won a race, Attenborough, Trent valley and the final race by Nottingham. However, thanks to more consistency and strong performance ofd Mike and Paul, Attenborough won the club competition on 110 points, from Nottingham on 135 and Trent Valley on 150. Other ASC competitors contributing to team score where Kevin Last, Kevin Milton, Ron Corner, Ray Kemish and Malcolm Davidson. The 2016 event will be hosted by Trent Valley on 24th April
Finally thanks to all the Attenborough members who helped run the event on the water and ashore, Bob and Ann Ceurstemont, BGillian Day, Brian Dennis, Linda Kay, Michael Motteram, Derek Harbour and Paul and Amanda Smith.