Contenders at Weston...

Contender Weston Open – 17th – 18th September

19 Contenders competed in the Weston Open with blue skies and an idyllic westerly force 4 on Saturday. 

Co-sharing with the RS600 fleet the Race Officer opted for a trapezoid course.

Race 1 started with the majority of the fleet heading out on starboard into Southampton waters, Martin Jones, Matt Aston, David Bate and David Davies opted to go right which favoured when rounding the windward mark giving them a comfortable lead over the rest of the fleet.  The wind proved gusty on the reach and capsizes were plenty when cracking off onto the run.  After 4 laps Matt had line honours followed by Martin Jones.

Races 2 and 3 were even tighter with the majority of the fleet playing wind shifts and going right.  Carl Tagoe took the lead at the windward mark with a close group of boats following.  Chris Boshier did everything right to win Race 3.

Chilli, skittles and a few beers rounded off the evening nicely!

Sunday started at 12.30, again waiting on the tides and wind with a light westerly 2 to 3.  Carl led the fleet at the windward mark but failed to spot the outer distance marker which was spotted by Matt!  14 boats sailed the incorrect course and were subject to a protest.  Matt led the correct course and won race 4.  Race 5 saw torrential rain which saturated the strength of the dying wind, the course was shortened but Stuart Hudson played the shifts to gain line honours.

Congratulations to Matt, who despite having a few more swims than most took the Open honours