The usual frantic preparations on the day preceding the event saw the club transformed, kit and paperwork organised, the competitors in their correct berths on the slipway, safety boats checked and course boats set up, signs posted and visitors welcomed at the slipway gates. By the evening, Simon Heusen had arranged for Darrol to serve one of his curries, the bar was busy.
Briefings for the Race Committee and Safety crews started early on Saturday, followed by competitor entries as in the NOR. Committee and mark boats left harbour to find a favourable course location. Allan remained ashore to brief competitors at 11.30 before joining the Committee boat. By 12.00, competitors were beginning to launch:
And forty minutes later, the Beach team were left to sort the trolleys:
Jane, Nick and team get organised!
Out on the water, the fleet almost disappeared, and Allan and Tim met the challenges of the shifty northerly winds, affected by Lyme, Charmouth and Eype valleys. Allan commented: ‘Winds were from the North which meant that the start line was set up some 3+nm offshore in an effort to find a stable breeze. Even at this distance out, the wind was still unpredictably shifty with large variations in direction and pressure coming down the course’.
Close racing on Saturday, Nick Orman 1487. Photo Pauline Rook The races were all completed as scheduled, a slight delay on Sunday morning due to extra- tricky wind variations across the course, but competitors were appreciative of the RC management and good racing.
Returning after the final race on Sunday. Photo Rob James
Andy Davis finishes first in Race 3. Photo Pauline Rook
The winner was Andy Davis from Chasewater SC, North Birmingham who posted results of (4, 1, 1, 1, 1,) with Mike Webster, Northampton SC, (1,9,3,3,1) in 2nd , Simon Hawkes ( 2,2,2,13,6) and Nick Orman (2,6,5,2,11) from Castle Cove SC 3rd and 4th respectively. Lyme members showed glimpses of form, posting good results in one or two races but failed to string a series of results together to threaten the top of the leader board. > Simon Heusen had a breakage when lying 3rd in race 2 and then scored a 3rd in race 3. Jake Stow had a 5th in race 1 and finished top Lyme boat in 21st overall. Andy Robinson had a 5th in race 7, Jeff Vanderbought had a 7th in race 4, Jack Young had a 12th in race 7. Full results on club website. > > All commented: ‘Overall, the Lyme Regis Race Team provided the framework for a fair but tactically challenging, successful Championship.’ >
Rear Commodore Jeremy Wallace thanks the competitors, association and teams.
Jane and Allan receive the prizes to the club from Association Chair Phil Longley
Jake Stow accepts his prize as first under 30 competitor. Jake was first finisher overall for Lyme.
Beach team pose for Dave Beer on the slipway.
‘We now look forward to hosting the OK World Championships in June next year with competitors expected from all over the world including Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and Germany,’ Allan writes. The teams have got back into gear, lots of learning points to consider, foundations laid on which to build for June 22 – 30 in 2023.
A debrief and party for all volunteers and club members will be held on 30 Sept from 6 – 8 in the clubhouse.
