Solo Midland Traveller at Melton Mowbray Sailing Club
by David Green 22 May 2002 06:43 PDT
19th May 2002
Sponsored by Chris Brown Boats
Race 1 - Thirteen Boats took to the water for the first of the three races in a lively breeze and crossed the line without mishap. Dave Liddington (Rugby S.C.) took an early lead chased by Neil Wilkinson (Aldridge S.C.) and Bill Ridlington. At the second mark Tim Fisher (Stewartby S.C.) squeezed out Bill Ridlington to take 3rd place, which he held on to until lap 3 when he was able to challenge hard for 2nd spot. As the race progressed a good tussle developed between Bill Ridlington and Brian Fisher (Great Moor S.C.) as they were regularly changing places. The race finished with Dave Liddington 1st, Neil Wilkinson 2nd and Tim Fisher 3rd.
Race 2 - In a freshening gusty breeze race 2 started with some very close quarter sailing up to the 1st mark but Dave Liddington pushed hard to round ahead of the fleet where helms were still jockeying for position. By the end of the 1st lap Dave Liddington was clear of Tim Fisher and Bill Ridlington with smaller groups of two and three boats adding some mid fleet excitement. At mid race point the 1st three places were looking secure with Neil Wilkinson now in 3rd place as the gusty wind made conditions livelier for the helms. The race concluded with D.Liddington 1st, T. fisher 2nd and N.Wilkinson 3rd.
Race 3 - As the wind was increasing F3/4 the final race began again providing excitement for the spectators as they beat into the stronger gusts for the 1st mark. This time Tim Fisher showed the way with Bill Ridlington in 2nd leaving Dave Liddington down in 5th spot with a lot to do. On the downwind leg to the third mark Dave had made up so much ground that he squeezed out N.Wilkinson 2nd to chase Tim the leader while the wind finished Joe Clare (Melton Mowbray S.C.) when he was caught out by a gust and capsized. Half way through lap 3 N.Wilkinson lost his 3rd place when his gibe at the downwind mark was affected by a gust and he narrowly escaped a capsize dropping to 4th position. As the race came to a close everything looked set for Tim to take the honours but Dave Liddington benefited from increased wind on the last downwind leg and after a dual for the windward position managed to push Tim out on the ark and with clear ater took 1st place. Race positions 1st D.Liddington, 2nd Tim Fisher and 3rd Brian Fisher.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Helm | Club |
|---|
| 1st | D.Liddington | Rugby S.C. |
| 2nd | Tim Fisher | Stewartby S.C. |
| 3rd | Neil Wilkinson | Aldridge S.C. |
| 4th | Brian Fisher | Great Moor S.C. |
| 5th | Dave Cornish | Banbury S.C. |
| 6th | Bill Ridlington | Melton Mowbray S.C. |