Flying Dutchman at Oxford

6/7 April 2002

On 6/7 April the Flying Dutchman fleet started their open meetings at Oxford Sailing Club.  Saturday started bright and sunny but with 25 knots plus and some significant gusts racing was postponed and eventually abandoned.     

Demo sail for Fireball helm with Neil Pye	Oxford - 6 April 2002

Sunday started with similar sunny weather conditions, less wind although still very gusty.  It was decided that the three scheduled races would be held back to back. After a short delay the first race got underway where a large shift left some boats unable to lay the line. At the first mark Peter Doran crewed by Richard Phillips was immediately in front of Tony Lyall crewed by Colin Burns.  The first reach was too tight to carry spinnakers and these two leading boats started to pull away from the rest of the fleet.  On the second reach spinnakers were carried and Lyall started to close the gap a little.

On the next beat Doran went to the right and Lyall went left.  At the windward mark Doran was still in front by about 40 yds.  These positions were maintained to the finish. Tom Clancey crewed by Ian Aldridge was third.  Race two followed but this time Lyall emerged in front of Doran at the first mark, and they were followed by Keith Martin crewed by John Lansley. The two leaders set a 100 yd lead and behind them Martin was being pressed hard by Clancey.  Lyall maintained his leading position to the finish followed by Doran.  Behind them Martin and Clancey had a tactical race which resulted in Clancey crossing the line third as Martin was caught out by a large windshift.

There followed a short delay before the start of the next race while the race officer want to the aid of a capsized boat.  All depended on the last race as the two leading contenders set off again choosing to go to opposite sides of the reservoir.  At the first mark Doran had a short lead but Lyall was still very close, and continued to press him hard down the two reaches.

On the next lap very little distance separated these two boats.  On the last beat Doran pulled a away slightly and took the gun with a 60yd lead over Lyall. 

The Oxford Tankard Trophy was later presented to the winning pair Peter Doran and Richard Phillips, who were also last years holders.

Results: