Comet & Laser Open Meetings - Sunday 3rd June 2007

Comet Open meeting at Hampton Sailing Club
Seven boats competed in the Comet Open meeting with sailors from Crawley Mariners, Burghfield, Taplow Lake, Hunts, Severn, Beer and Hampton Sailing Clubs taking part. This event was part of the Southern Aphelion Trophy series as well as the Orbital Travellers Trophy for Comets.

The racing took place in a light variable wind that contributed to some frustrating sailing conditions especially for those not used to the fickle winds on the river.

Race 1 John Coppenhall in 532 from Hunts Sailing Club led for the first lap before being overtaken by Brian Welham, from Taplow Lake Sailing Club, sailing no 711. John regained the lead briefly on lap 3 but was soon overtaken by Brian who then held the lead for the remaining 3 laps.

Race 2 saw the John Coppenhall taking the lead on the second lap followed home this time by Chris Robinson from Burghfield sailing no 63 who had been in 6th place at the end of the penultimate lap.

Race 3 ended in a clear victory for Robin Ballam from Crawley Mariners sailing no 518, with Brian Welham taking second spot and Chris in third.

Final Results:
1st Brian Welham in 711 from Taplow Lake Sailing club

2nd John Coppenhall in 532 from Hunts Sailing Club

3rd Robin Ballam in 518 from Crawley Mariners

Comet Duo and Comet Versa Open Meeting at Hampton Sailing Club
This was run as a separate set of races to the smaller Comets and comprised three handicap races, four boats from Hampton Sailing Club competed over the same course as the other boats but with separate starts.

Race 1 had Peter Skingley in 209 take an early lead which he gradually increased lap on lap eventually lapping all the others in this race. George Bell, commodore of the club, sailing 260 taking second place.

Race 2 again saw Peter taking the honours but this time in a much more closely contested race with Peter only gaining the lead on the last lap, George again following him home.

Race 3 took place in a dying wind and was shortened to only one lap to give the boats a chance to finish. This time George was to finish in the lead although at the final mark all four boats were together.

Final results
1st Peter Skingley in 209 (Comet Versa) from Hampton Sailing Club

2nd George Bell in 260 (Comet Versa) from Hampton Sailing Club

3rd Ian Dixon in 52 (Comet Duo) from Hampton Sailing Club

Laser Open Meeting at Hampton Sailing Club
This event was staged at the same time as the Comet events but was sailed as separate races although using the same course as the others. Six boats took part with visitors from Queen Mary and Harlow Blackwater Sailing Clubs competing alongside the Hampton boats.

Alight variable wind had made course setting tricky for the duty officer and the variability in wind direction had meant that the direction of the start had to be left to the last minute before each race.

Race 1 had Mark Sanken sailing 79600 from Queen Mary Sailing Club having a good battle with Adrian Degge 186246 from Harlow Blackwater before Mark managed to pull away and lead by a comfortable margin by the end. Third place being claimed by Tim Harridge of Hampton Sailing Club albeit a lap adrift.

Race 2 had Mark and Adrian having a close fought race with Adrian leading for two thirds of the race before being passed by Mark who went on to win. Tim again claiming third place.

Race 3 was not contested by Mark, his two firsts meant that he could not be beaten, Adrian taking the honours in this race followed home by Tony D’Angibau in 63998 from Hampton sailing club with Tim once again in third place.

Final results
1st Mark Sanken in 179600 from Queen Mary Sailing Club

2nd Adrian Degge in 186246 from Harlow Blackwater Sailing Club

3rd Tony D’Angibau in 63998 from Hampton Sailing Club