11 October 2008
By Jim Champ 22 Oct 2008 06:40
The Canoes enjoyed a very pleasant afternoon’s racing at Oxford in the Autumn sunshine. Canoes from the North, the Midlands and a strong Welsh contingent joining the Southerners. The breeze was F2/3 much of the time, oscillating, but with a general tendency to swing round to the left during the session. All very civilised after some of the more manic events we’ve had recently. Sharp race management permitted four races, with all starting together but Spinnaker free boats heading off at the windward mark on a quadrilateral course whilst those with the extra rags went “straight” down the middle.
Race 1
In the AC fleet Gareth Caldwell led with Colin Brown, Dave Timson and Steve Bowen in close pursuit on the return to the leeward mark. On lap three Caldwell and Timson managed to put some air between the following pack and on the chase to the final leeward gybe Steve Clarke managed to get his nose in front of Brown and Bowen for a deserved third place.
Amongst the ICs Colin Newman took an early lead. Phil Robin, in the only full on “low fat” latest specification Canoe eventually pulled back second place after something of a struggle to get in the groove on the early laps.
Race 2
In the ICs Robin had the slippery lightweight running as expected now, and showed a clean pair of heels. Much place changing ensued behind. Jim Champ was 2nd early on having found a nice spot on the startline amongst ACs OCS and otherwise, but Chris Hampe and Newman found big gains on the left on the second beat and came through for 2nd and 3rd.
As mentioned quite a number of the ACs were OCS in this one and had to find there way back through a congested line. However the shifts came into play in this fleet too, and it wasn’t long before the form sailors were again pushing at the front. In a “Steve Bowen” moment that worthy was seen catapulting from his seat and almost landing in his bagged-out kite in a spectacular dismount. Brown was able to maintain his lead from Caldwell and as Timson was headed onto the windward mark Clarke took advantage and was quickly engulfed by the pursuing pack.
Race 3
A pattern was beginning to emerge, congested startline, massive shifts, Caldwell at the front of the ACs and Robin leading the IC fleet. . Bowen managed to find some good boat speed off wind, kept out of the water and took a strong second place in the ACs, with Timson 3rd. Newman was 2nd IC, and after a good amount of place changes Hugh deLongh rd.
Race 4
With 3 wins in the bag Caldwell was happy to sit out the last AC race and leave Brown, Clarke and Timson to race off for the final positions. Bowen took an early lead with some helpful shifts up the left hand side and good downwind speed. On lap 2 Timson reeled in Bowen and as he was headed onto the windward mark Timson pulled clear of the fleet as they bunched up behind Bowen. At the final drop with Timson already home, a blanket could of covered the remaining canoes, as Bowen came screaming in on starboard, kite still flying scattering the dousing canoes in a chaotic conclusion to the days racing.
Champ’s “Lightercott” – lightened no-longer-one-design Canoe – was very prominent at the committee boat for the last start and then enjoyed a tow from AC wakes all down the first downwind. This still wasn’t enough to get anywhere the over the horizon Robin, but was enough to stay well ahead of a very tight scrum behind, resolved in favour of Hampe.
Gareth Caldwell won the AC trophy event convincingly with Dave Timson runner-up and Colin Brown taking the third slot on count-back from Steve Clarke who sailed consistently well with three thirds.
The IC prize went very definitely to Phil Robin and the skinny Scarlett lady, with Colin Newman 2nd, and Chris Hampe just grabbing third from Hugh deLongh by virtue of his 2nd in race two.
Thanks to the Oxford team from all the Canoe sailors for an excellent – and very civilised – afternoon’s racing.
Overall Results:
Asymmetric Canoe Class
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 294 | Gareth Caldwell | Carsington SC | 1 | 2 | 1 | (DNS) | 4 |
| 2nd | 303 | Dave Timson | Llandegfedd SC | 2 | -5 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| 3rd | 299 | Colin Brown | Ullswater SC | -4 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 9 |
| 4th | 300 | Steve Clarke | Llandegfedd SC | 3 | 3 | -5 | 3 | 9 |
| 5th | 298 | Rob Bell | Emberton Park SC | -6 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 15 |
| 6th | 290 | Steve Bowen | Aberaderon YC | 5 | 9 | 2 | (RTD) | 16 |
| 7th | 279 | John Nixon | Carsington SC | -7 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 16 |
| 8th | 302 | Martyn Osbourne | Llandegfedd SC | 8 | 6 | -9 | 6 | 20 |
| 9th | 293 | Max Reid | Oxford SC | (DNS) | 8 | 10 | 7 | 25 |
| 10th | 273 | Phillip Lee | Lymington Town SC | (RTD) | RTD | 8 | RTD | 30 |
International Canoe Class
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 311 | Phil Robin | Hayling Island SC | -2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 2nd | 295 | Colin Newman | Draycote Water SC | 1 | 3 | 2 | -5 | 6 |
| 3rd | 238 | Chris Hampe | Saltash SC | -4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 9 |
| 4th | 275 | Hugh DeIongh | Castle Cove SC | 3 | -4 | 3 | 4 | 10 |
| 5th | 257 | Jim Gand | Island Barn SC | -5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 12 |
