Border Counties Midweek Sailing at Redesmere Sailing Club

There was a reduced turnout of only 13 boats to the Redesmere round of the Border Counties event this year (compared with the typical 25 boats). The forecast (compared with last year), was looking favourable, but there was only a slight breeze blowing across the lake as competitors set off to the start area.

The fleet got away cleanly at the first attempt in what was probably 3 knots with only a short beat to the first mark, although plenty of tacks were made before the mark trying to make the most of the shifts that there were around. Ted Garner (Solo) led the fleet around the first couple of marks, but then seemed to be heading for the wrong mark allowing a few boats behind him to take the lead. By the end of the first lap Tom Brindley had taken the lead and never looked back, slowly extending his lead by the end and with the breeze fading fast, he had sufficient on the chasing pack to win by 40 seconds from Dave Turtle (Comet) and Ted Garner. Tom Brindley had finished a shortened race after 38 minutes and it took the back of the fleet nearly 42 minutes more to complete their lap and finish.

Nice to see some colourful sails during the 2023 Border Counties Midweek Sailing Series at Redesmere - photo © Brian Herring

Whilst everyone was having their lunch, the breeze lifted and it looked like being a promising afternoon. However, hopes were dashed before Race Officer Peter Baldwin could get on the water and the breeze evaporated again. Determined to try and get two more races completed the RO went on the water to await some breeze, which made an appearance after 10 minutes or so and the fleet launched to be greeted with at least 5 knots by the start of Race 2. This race was one of places swapped at the front of the fleet from start to finish with some of the slower boats almost keeping pace with the Laser of Brindley and seemingly having their own patches of wind at times. After a 40 minute race of 5 shorter laps and a breeze that clocked right during the race, Brindley was the first of the leading bunch to finish, but with insufficient lead to stop Dave Turtle(Comet) taking the win, with Ted Garner (Solo) second and Paul Newman (Streaker) third.

2nd double hander Simon and Julie Dolman during the 2023 Border Counties Midweek Sailing Series at Redesmere - photo © John Nield

After quickly moving the committee boat for a better windward leg, race 3 got under way with a further depleted fleet of only 9 boats but an increased breeze to give everyone a great sail. Dave Thomas & Shan Stapley (Enterprise) finished lap 1 in first place, but the chasing pack of Dave Turtle, Paul Newman and Mark Nield overhauled him by the end of lap 2. These four boats made up the leaders for most of the race after Garner capsized on the first beat with an over-enthusiastic roll tack foiling any chance he had of being in the leading bunch. However by the end of the race, Dave Turtle took the win with Paul Newman second and Mark Nield (Laser) sailing a good race to make third on handicap.

The overall results saw Dave Turtle in his Comet a clear winner with two wins and then 3 boats on 5 points being split by Tom Brindley in his Laser in second on the basis of his win in race 1 and then Newman in third based upon his beating Garner in Race 3 and first double handed boat Dave Thomas & Shan Stapley.

1st 2nd and 3rd nicely lined up during the 2023 Border Counties Midweek Sailing Series at Redesmere - photo © John Nield

The day was finished off with prize-giving where the team at Redesmere were thanked for putting on the day's racing for the series.

The next event in the series is at Nantwich on September 5th. See the Border Counties Midweek Sailing website for more details.

Overall Results: