wee Nip Medal Competition - Round 12

7th December 2014

Report by Peter Shepherd

A cold and frosty start to todays racing, with some of the lake being ice covered, we waited for the su to come up but when that didn't seem to be working it was on with the waders and a bit of ice breaking to be done.
A dozen or so skippers made it to race and as the wind gradually increased and shifted around throughout the day the ice breaking was worth the effort.

We decided to do a few club presentations before racing commenced to give everything a chance to clear and the wind to pick up a little.
Once we got underway the course proved to be a bit follow my leader with little in the way tacking and so was quickly changed to a more windward/leeward affair which was hopefully more to everyones liking.
In the morning no one took an overall lead with Tom Steel (68) sailing Johnnie Walker for the first time started very well with a win in the first race, alas he was unable to replicate this in the later heats. Richard Sturt (49) out with Islay Legend for just the second time this year won four races and had a string of seconds and thirds, Mike Ewart (36) Ardmore/Ardbeg put in a claim for the overall victory with three wins before lunch.
Alan Smedley (77) Glengoyne popped up with one win in race six and the usually very competive John Simmons (17) Pinch only managed a consulation win in the final race. Keith Coxon (55) Glen Keith was in the mix but started slowly today with only one win in the first eight however he did have a whole string of second places, this was to change in the afternoon when he put together a string of five race wins to complete a seventh series win and take home this years trophy.
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Keith was gracious enough to thank the organisers for putting on the series. In accepting his reward he mentioned that in his opinion the standard of racing has become much better over the course of the year, as the award was given before racing commenced this could have proved prophetic as six different skippers took heat wins over the course of this event and thanks must go to all of the skippers who have come and raced over the course of the year.
Next years Wee Nip Competition takes place over ten events starting 28th February 2015 at Abington Park and across three venues, five races at Abington Park MYC, three races at Two Islands RYC and two at Emberton Park Sailing Club.