Stone Snipe Open

Stone, June, 6-7, 2015. Regatta Report by Andy Gibson

1. Peter Wolstenhome & William Maguire, 9

2. Alan Williams & Liz Pike, 15

3. Andy Gibson & Carol Gibson, 18

June 6/7 saw the snipe fleet return to Stone SC on the river Blackwater. Early arrivals at the event were taken on a wild night out in St Lawrence bay and were slow to hit the water for Saturdays action.

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Race 1 introduced us all to the concept of Essex time (BST + 5 minutes) and only two boats noticed the flag sequence announcing the start in a howling wind that carried away the sound of the starting signals from the clubhouse. A bedraggled fleet of snipe crossed the start line over the course of the next 10 minutes with some exciting sailing in bright sunshine.

Race 2 saw winds increasing further with very steep chop and massive current. With some confusion over what constituted the start line there was again a big spread of boats out of the gun.

Lunch was a time to sort out hangovers, refresh on the course and get focussed! We needed to stick to the plan of 4 races as Sundays forcast was for no wind. The afternoon races were much closer fought and with the decreasing current the sea state became less challenging.. the respite was too late for some legs though and with a short tacking race against the current in the last race it was a very tired fleet that came ashore to party on Saturday evening.

Sundays racing was a more sedate affair with nice sunshine and a pleasant but variable breeze. Overnight leaders Iain Marshall and Ewan Harris were unable to match Saturdays form in the lighter airs with Pete Wolstenhome and Mathew taking overall first place from Alan Williams and Liz Pike in second.

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