2015 - wee Nip Medal Competition - Round 1
15th February 2015
A damp drizzle greeted us at the main lake in Abington Park for the first round in the 2015, Wee Nip Medal Competition, a number of skippers came from the three participating clubs. As has become our usually practice we ran a practice race before racing proper commenced and this claimed a couple of early casualties. John Simmons (71) with a sail servo issue and Peter Wood (14) whose boat succumbed to a mystery affliction.
That left twelve skippers to take to the water for the first race, this being our first event in the main lake a rather ambitious course was set initially and after a few goes this was amended and the buoys brought nearer to the shore to the general approval of the assembled skippers.
The wind was from the South or Southsouthwest which meant that the Islands within the lake came into play during racing and kept everyone on their toes as to what it might do next, although this made the conditions extreme testing judging by the score card this had little effect on the overall result.
That left twelve skippers to take to the water for the first race, this being our first event in the main lake a rather ambitious course was set initially and after a few goes this was amended and the buoys brought nearer to the shore to the general approval of the assembled skippers.
The wind was from the South or Southsouthwest which meant that the Islands within the lake came into play during racing and kept everyone on their toes as to what it might do next, although this made the conditions extreme testing judging by the score card this had little effect on the overall result.
As you can see the familiar face of Keith Coxon (55 Glen Keith) came to take the medal and the other magnificent prizes presented by Abington Park MYC. Keith clearly thinks he hit the jackpot with this months bountiful prizes.
Mike Ewart (63, Ardmore) finished a relatively easy second and then the middle order fleet of five skippers were all bunched together and this is where the competition was toughest, especially if the leading two fell back into the fleets clutches which happened often enough to keep it interesting.
In the end Peter Jackson (30 Red Rooster) was best of the rest and with Peter Shepherd (65) bringing back Sheep Dip to the fold for the first time in a while, coming fourth. Tom Steel (68, Johnnie Walker) finished just behind Alan Smedley (77, Glengoyne) on count back and despite his early promise Geoff Raygada (57, Black Prince) could do no better than seventh.
Early difficulties for Colin Davies (42, Blackadder), an unfamiliar boat for Richard Smith (101, Black & White) a late arrival and early departure for Tim Leese (93, Arran) and Norman Hardy (Red Hackle) heading home at lunchtime put pay to all of their chances. Geoff Raygada lent new skipper to the fleet Derek Lane (39, Stag's Breath) and considering that this was really his first time on the water with model yachts he equipped himself very well and even managed to hang on to finish just behind the back of the fleet in some races. I am sure we will see some more of him further up the fleet once he gets some more practice with his own Wee Nip.
Thanks to everyone who turn out and we look forward to seeing you all again at the next event which is at Emberton Park Sailing Club on 28th March 2015.
