The Marconi SB20 Saturday Series culminated with a regatta where 4 teams of frequent SB20 Saturday sailors did battle over a short 300 metre windward/leeward course similar to that used in the British Keelboat League.
The SW breeze seemed to hold back the tide as our teams waited for sufficient water to launch and head up to the course that had been laid by Bryan Spencer in Steeple Bay.
Race one was won by the youngest team in the fleet, (Anna Collis (helm), Ethan Walker, Alex Maloney, Sam Featherstone) closely followed home by one of our more experienced teams. (Mick & Lana Jones, Andy Fowler).
The template had been set for the 5 two lap race regatta series, as the winning team of race one, went on to win the first 4 races. The other 3 teams fought out for the minor places and constantly traded places as newly crowned BJRC Champions (Trevor Holder, Debbie Grafton, Savino Frino) took 2nd place in race two. The BJRC Champs then retired in race 3 due to sail handling challenges, which promoted team (Karen Corley, Ian Saunders, Sian Fordham, Pat Healey) to a 3rd place finish as the Jones/Fowler team took another 2nd place.
‘The Marconi Youth team, continued to hit the line in good time, giving themselves a head start over the other teams that continued to be a little shy, although getting closer as the races progressed‘, said Richard Collis, RO on White Spirit.
In the final race of the day the BJRC Champs took a first place away from the youths, who finished in 2nd, but their retirement earlier in the day had sealed their fate as there were to be no discards in the regatta.
Overall Positions
- Team: Anna Collis (helm), Ethan Walker, Alex Maloney, Sam Featherstone – Points 19
- Team: Trevor Holder, Debbie Grafton, Savino Frino – Points 13
- Team: Mick & Lana Jones, Andy Fowler – Points 11
- Team: Karen Corley, Ian Saunders, Sian Fordham, Pat Healey – Points 7
The 2021 SB20 Saturday Series has been a big success at the club and saw sailors of all ages developing their sailing further and having great fun in the process.
‘Great day out in good company, thanks to all involved‘. Ian Saunders.
”Had so much fun yesterday and I learned a lot!’ Sian Fordham.
Congratulations to our winning team, Anna Collis, Alex Maloney, Ethan Walker, Sam Featherstone. We look forward to seeing you progressing further in your Keelboat racing and challenging for the club championships in coming seasons.
