Datchet 2005 Multigala

For some of the crews this was their first chance to dust off the Buzz since the winter layoff, so the conditions on arrival either looked fun and challenging or cold and daunting depending on your state of readiness. With a fresh 4/5 from the NW there would be plenty to test everyone. It was also good to see the regulars joined by some new faces for this six-race weekend.

Racing started a little later than planned, but after a few first race squabbles on the line, the crews settled down to the opening windward beat of the season. There were good battles through out the fleet all day and plenty of ‘if only stories’ but some how Russell and Tom Smithers came through each time to win. They thus completed the day with a perfect score sheet which doesn’t reflect on just how close the racing was.

Saturday evening found most of the fleet catching up with each other after the winter layoff with a good sociable meal and some liquid relaxation in the Ostrich.

Day 2 and things had calmed down a little with a much warmer and more welcoming 3/4 NW but with plenty of wind shifts to keep the crews on their toes.

The day started with Stuart Bailey and Hannah Packman leading the first race from start to finish. James Stevens and Simon Owens made good use of some overnight tips from Stuart and took second with Roger and Penny Eyre claiming yet another third.

Race 5 added another couple of names to the list of round winners, with Ian Foxwell and Caroline Alexander managing to stay up right for a whole race to take the top spot. With the Smithers team having had two comparatively poor results and all the prize paying places up for grabs, the final race of the day promised to be an exciting one

At the gun the leading protagonists covered each other up the left hand side of the course. However Andrew and Claire Haill read the wind perfectly and went to the right to lead comfortably at the first mark. By the Leeward mark however the fleet was catching and with the shifty conditions, and the fact that Claire is 7 months pregnant, beginning to take their toll, they started to slip back.

Victory finally went to Stuart and Hannah but with Team Smithers regaining their form to claim second they had done just enough to claim overall victory. Stuart and Hannah loosing out on a count back for the second year running.

Congratulations to Russell and Tom, and commiserations to Stuart and Hannah with a well earned pat on the back for the Datchet team and the Buzz fleet for making the first Open of the year a huge success.

Report by: Ian Foxwell Buzz 965

Results

Full Results