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British Flying Dutchman Championship 2006 |
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Bala Sailing Club 26-28 August 2006 |
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Overall Results |
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The British FD fleet arrived from the
far corners of the British Isles to enjoy the hospitality and great
sailing conditions offered by Bala Sailing Club, and their kindness in
running the FD Nationals as part of their Autumn Bank Holiday Regatta.
The racing was full of drama with many place changes throughout each race. The courses with many mark roundings and covering all points of sailing fully tested competitors boat handling skills in very gusty and shifty conditions. Julian Bridges defending his title was crewed by Peter Hadfield and started well, but Julian fell out of his boat breaking the tiller extension and capsizing. The hasty repairs between race one and two proved inadequate and the tiller broke at the leeward mark thus ending their first day with two DNFs. Despite this set back Julian sailed superbly well in his aged FD, winning race three and finishing third overall. Jon Williams (Strangler) and Alex Rogers were aiming to complete unfinished business when they lost the 2005 Nationals in the final minutes of the last race. Stamping their authority on the fleet they were the clear winners in races one and two, and by the end of day two had an unassailable lead with three firsts two seconds an a third, and had entertained the race team with a capsize on the start line just before the third race. Peter Doran & Richard Phillips finished the first day second overall with two thirds and maintained this position after the three races on day two. They built up a good lead from the start of race three but towards the end of the race Julian and Strangler closed the gap as the wind went lighter and more variable. Julian squeezed ahead at the final windward mark and held Peter off at the finish by a boat's length. This theme was repeated in several races with various competitors leaving Peter and Richard fourth overall. They were rewarded with the 100+ prize (team totalling over 100 years in age). Tony Lyall and Colin Burns struggled in the very difficult sailing conditions until race five when the wind piped up to over twenty knots. The race was very eventful with numerous place changes in the very challenging conditions. Julian was first at first mark followed by Strangler, Peter and Tony. Strangler overtook Julian on the second lap on a blistering reach and Tony overtook Peter. Peter and Richard capsized in front of the clubhouse but despite righting boat very quickly trailed the leaders by 100 metres but were catching up fast. Julian overtook Strangler on the beat then on the final reach Strangler had a problem with the kite, Julian capsized at the final mark, Richard went water-skiing thirty feet from the boat whilst Peter managed to stop it capsizing to windward. Tony just kept ahead of Strangler on the finishing line by two seconds. Tony and Colin received the Royal Lymington Shield for winning the fifth race and a prize for lowest boat overall finishing all the races. Lucy Lingard, sailing with Jamie Whittaker, got off to an excellent start and was second in the first race ,but the variable conditions led to a sixth in the second race. On day two after coming fourth in the third race they retired with some gear failure in the fourth race, and did not sail the fifth race. Day three saw Lucy sailing with Will, a fourteen year old Laser sailor, who came off the water with the biggest smile ever after his first sail in an FD! Toby Dale (former National champion but sailing this year with fiancé Dawn Barsley) were second in the second and fourth races but retired from the 5th race as the wind increased. Toby's application to the race officer to change crew for day three was accepted and he sailed with Jamie in races 6 and seven, winning both races and finishing second overall. Dawn and Toby also received the best mixed team prize. Rosie & Neil Pye got off to a good start but Neil damaged his knee and they had to withdraw from racing. They ended up being the only team not to capsize/go swimming. On Saturday evening the fleet went to the local pizzeria and enjoyed a very convivial evening. Sunday evening the fleet was somewhat more subdued from the days exertions and enjoyed a meal at the club entertained by video footage of 18ft Skiffs racing in Australia. The FD Class thank Bala Sailing Club for running an excellent championship.
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National Champions |
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A member of
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