Oxford 2014 – Final Bash

This year organiser Simon Hotchin arranged for a training day on the Friday to provide valuable practice over short courses for starting, first beat tactics and downwind speed. 7 helms turned up for a great day in lightish winds and the time on the water was invaluable for trying out new gear and techniques.

The main event started in a medium 1-12 knots but with some regular harsh gusts of up to 20 knots coming through at 5 minute intervals which was enough to test the fleet. With 4 races to squeeze in and competing for space with the new D zero fleet and D1’s some of the windward legs became an interesting combination of dealing with sharp gusty conditions and avoiding rafts of boats with some scary closing speeds requiring quick reactions and good observation skills.

The AC fleet was largely dominated by Dave Timson who made his first start in over a year but still showing he could mix it with the best doing battle with Tony Robertshaw. Steve Bowen current AC National Champion had a frustrating day when his spinnaker halyard snapped before the first race. Roger Howell showed great upwind speed and much improved boat handling and a new HD sail to finish 3rd. The AC fleet also welcomed Alistair James back after a few years in other craft, realising his true home is in the canoe fleet along with Phil Allen who is starting to become a regular again. Andy Gordon improved throughout the day with his revamped AC.

The in IC fleet numbers where largely suppressed with 11 boats still locked in a container in Southampton dock having only just got back from the Worlds in San Francisco Bay.  Gareth Caldwell showed Steve Clarke the way around the course with 4 straight wins with the two John’s Ellis and Nixon struggling with the gusts and gear issues. Alan Powell mad a cameo performance before retiring to the shore to effect improvements to ASBO.

The results table shows the effect of applying handicap based on 870 for the AC and 895 for the IC