Roadford 2006 Goodacre Cup

South West Lakes Trust, supported by Roadford Lake Sailing & Racing Club, hosted the Goodacre Cup over the August Bank Holiday weekend at Roadford Lake on Dartmoor, with a fleet of 9 Buzzes enjoying their own start. The long weekend saw 6 races spread over the three days in gusty north-westerly breezes giving an exciting range of sailing conditions.

Saturdays first race was a triangle-sausage course, and with gusty conditions positions swapped regularly. 797 (Stuart Bailey and Zoe Noble) and 590 (Andy Haill and Luke Harrison) led most of the way until the final lap, where consecutive capsizes allowed 1027 (Jane Noble and Mark Wilson) to squeeze past to clinch victory. Several boats retired on the second race due to difficult conditions. 797 led from start to finish with 1027 taking second place and 590 third - downwind positioning to overtake some of the non-spinnaker club boats was key to holding position in the fleet.

Overnight the clouds disappeared and the breeze eased to give a bright Sunday with almost perfect conditions. Newcomers Vicky Gate and Tom McLeod (Buzz 950) from Paignton, were wecolmed and benefiting from the dinghy park tips, achieving a 5th and a 3rd - partly aided in race 4 by the match racing tactics of 480 (Lizzie Eyre and Kim Noakes) on 590. The racing was extremely close with top positions changing every lap as Buzzes 797, 987 and 590 dodged each others sterns. The middle and lower order positions were equally contested with many high-density mark roundings.

With F5-7 forecast on Monday sensible crews de-powered in anticipation of strong gusts - those that did benefited by staying upright for longer. Winds averaged 12-16 knots with gusts up to 25. As anticipated there were some spectacular capsizes and those overlooking the leeward mark had two hours of great entertainment. With Stuart and Zoë (797) untouchable, the real race was between 590 and 987. Positions changed every lap but as 590 caught by a huge gust the door opened for 987 to take a final 2nd place and 2nd overall.

A much appreciated Devon cream tea was followed by prize-giving with Stuart and Zoë taking both the Buzz Open and the Goodacre Cup - proving that the Buzz can hold its own in mixed handicap racing. Roadford Lake proved an excellent venue with lakeside camping and the Trust and Club hosted some fantastic evening entertainment, including BBQs, a quiz and match racing in ISIS 21s (which again Stuart dominated). Hopefully this will become an annual event for the growing Buzz fleet. A big vote of thanks goes to Ross and his crew at South West Lakes Trust and Ron, Michelle, Roger and Penny from RLS & RC.

Report by: Mark Wilson Buzz 1027

Results

Full Results