6-7 September 2008
By Dave Timson 08 Sep 2008 17:11
After a blown out Nationals at Dale SC last month the International Canoe fleet returned to Wales for their Inland Nationals. With further poor weather forecast numbers were down on the travelling fleet but a healthy Welsh contingent made for competitive racing in the Asymmetric fleet while Southern visitors made up the conventional One Design fleet.
Day 1 and the racing started in a less than forecast F2-3 wind with recently crowned National Champion Robin Wood taking the win from Dave Timson with Ian Fryett third, new to the class and showing some old heads how to master the Asymmetric Canoe in the light conditions.
Race 2 and the wind built to a F4, Wood led the field and again the newcomers to the fleet mixed it up with the experienced helms. This time Charlie Chandler pushed Wood all the way to a much deserved second place with Phil Allen in third.
The third race of the day challenged the fleet with the shifting F4-5 conditions taking its toll. The rescue teams were kept busy with 8 boats retiring and at times more boats capsized than racing. Overnight consistent Robin Wood led from Phil Allen and Steve Bowen with everything to sail for in such a competitive fleet.
After a typical IC social with copious red wine, fine food and heated discussions on the latest developments within the class, sailors were awoken to another day of energetic sailing with a good F4 gusting F5 wind from the north.
Race 4 saw Alex Howard’s mast snap as he hoisted his massive kite and again the rescue crews were kept busy in the testing conditions.
A pattern started to emerge as experience overcame youth as again Wood came home from Allen and Bowen.
Race 5 saw Steve Clarke mix it with the leading pair after Bowen had a moment near the Dam wall. His retirement from the remaining race left a battle for overall third place between Clarke and Timson. Timson led from the start with a port end flyer and was able to keep his nose in front to take the win from Steve Clarke with another newcomer to the fleet Maurice Clarke coming home third.
With the conventional One Design fleet starting with the Asymmetric boys, Chris Hampe always started well poised at the front from the off. With the wind strength building Hampe maintained his lead of varying lengths for the race although the leading IC’s were never very far apart enjoying some very competitive racing.
In Race 3 again Hampe started well but in the ferocious gusting conditions Jim Champ was able to take the lead as he worked the shifts to windward. A battle for the lead pursued until Champ unfortunately lost his tiller extension in a knockdown capsize.
Chris Hampe was able to regain his lead coming home victorious adding the Inland One Design trophy to his recent Novice Cup win at the Nationals.
An excellent event for the International Canoe class with all scheduled race’s completed in although at times testing conditions, the PRO Ian Williams kept the races to an optimum length with minimum delay between starts. The class would like to thank Corus SC for their unrivalled hospitality.
Overall Results:
Asymmetric Fleet
1st Robin Wood (Llandegfedd SC) 5pts
2nd Phil Allen (Weston SC) 14pts
3rd Dave Timson (Llandegfedd SC) 17pts
4th Steve Clarke (Llandegfedd SC) 22pts
5th Steve Bowen (Llandegfedd SC) 24pts
One Design Fleet
1st Chris Hampe (Saltash SC) 11pts
2nd Jim Champ (Island Barn SC) 14pts
