Garth Weaver and daughter on their way to victory
A spring clean of the dinghy park and beach and a social evening at the sailing club marked the start of the dinghy racing season at the Helford River Sailing Club. Saturday’s race was held in bright sunshine accompanied by a constant east wind – not always the most comfortable of conditions in the Helford.
Race officers Sarah Mason and Anton Chamberlain laid a line start off Trebah beach setting competitors off on a beat towards the central mark. First to the mark and definitely meaning business was Garth Weaver, in his National 12, with his daughter crewing. Following close behind were Roger McDonald and Phil Samuel in Lasers. Tony Statham rounded the mark a little too closely with the tide proving too much of a force to contend with. The rest of the fleet found themselves bunched up close behind and those that could avoid the bedlam fared best.
The run down to Trebah suited the Lasers well and some ground was made up here. However, it was the long beat up to the Committee mark which proved to be the telling point. Choosing to hug the south shore avoiding the strong incoming tide was the most beneficial route. Garth Weaver gained several yards here.
Mark and Christine Belshaw in their Firefly sailed a consistently good race always remaining in contention. In fact, at the finish and once handicaps had been accounted for, the Firefly finished in a magnificent second place pushing the Lasers of Phil and Roger into third and fourth place respectively. But the honours for this race went to Garth and his daughter for holding onto their lead and emerging victorious. Also justly rewarded for their efforts during the afternoon were the crews of the safety and committee boats. A pair of inquisitive dolphins circled and entertained them on the return home rounding off a perfect afternoon.
Photos by Sarah Mason
Saturday 17th April 2010 | Line Start| Sailor | Sail No | Class | PY | Corr Time | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G Weaver | 3191 | Nat 12 | 1115 | 58.25 | 1 |
| M Belshaw | F3591 | Firefly | 1165 | 61.14 | 2 |
| P Samuel | 186886 | Laser | 1080 | 61.44 | 3 |
| R Mcdonald | 100387 | Laser | 1080 | 62.3 | 4 |
| B Kestin | 171278 | Laser 4.7 | 1080 | 63.32 | 5 |
| A Mason | 2914 | Nat 12 | 1130 | 65.1 | 6 |
| T Statham | 91500 | Laser | 1080 | 65.48 | 7 |
| D Philpott | 1999 | OK | 1109 | 70.89 | 8 |
| A Chamberlain | 412 | Comet | 1085 | Duty | |
| E Bolitho | Laser | 1080 | RET | ||
| R Vyvyan | Wayfarer | 1108 | RET |
If you are interested in dinghy sailing with HRSC please call the club office on 01326 231006 for further information.