Racing reports - 31st March 2014

The last race of the Sprint 15 Catamaran Winter Series was held at Grafham Water, Paul Grattage of Shanklin Sailing Club had a very respectful second position for this event which gave him overall victory in the series.

Shanklin Sailing Clubs fitting out supper was held on saturday evening, it was well attended with 53 members and friends there for what is the start of 2014 season.

The first race of the year in the Preston Points series attracted 14 starters in what were near perfect conditions, a flat sea and fairly light force 3 to 4 winds, Paul Grattage and Liam Thom got away at the start, with Erling Holmberg and Stuart Dyer close behind, both Grattage and Thom opened up a substantial lead and were never challenged, with Grattage first and Thom second, Keith Newnham was third.
The second race however saw a deterioration in conditions with the wind increasing to a force 5, once again it was Grattage and Thom away at the start and they rounded the first mark in that order followed by Chris Read, Holmberg, Dyer and Sean Strevens. Brandon Holmberg managed a rather spectacular pitch-pole capsize on the reach and several others followed suit, probably just to keep him company, this left the clubs rescue facilities with a busy workload for the start of the season. On the final run to the finishing line Dyer, who was in third position, capsized, and the final order was Grattage first, Newnham second with Thom third.
The first race in the sprint series attracted 7 entries in what were very light wind conditions, Erling Holmberg was first around the windward mark followed by Thom but on the final leg to the finishing line the wind failed completely, Thom and Brandon Holmberg both collided with the final mark and were unable to finish. Result was Holmberg first, Newnham second and Andrew Cavacuiti third.

Arthur K Newnham