Notts County Sailing Club First of Year Race 2022
by David Eberlin 3 Jan 17:09 AEDT 1 January 2022
After an absence in 2021 due to Covid the Notts County Sailing Club First of the Year Race for the Geoff Parker Memorial trophy and Phil Davies Memorial trophy took place on a very warm New Year’s Day (14’C). The entry fee was donation to charity for Nottinghamshire Mind over 40 boats entered, which raised £350.
Whilst the temperature made it feel like a warm spring day, the water was considerably colder, so the involuntary dips meant there were fewer out in the second race. The keen Southerly winds gusted at 28 mph, and averaged 14mph so there was plenty of action and quite a few spills keeping the safety cover busy.
As it was warm the spectators could watch from the open air balcony in comfort, and with food available it proved an excellent day of sailing.
After a briefing outside Race Officer Ken Twemlow set an interesting course with two beats and plenty of runs and reaches. The first race was windier and all the fleets got of to clean starts. It was soon apparent who the leaders were with Jamie Mawson (Notts County) dominating in his RS600, and Fireball Kevin Hope (Notts County) returning after a shoulder operation with Andy Stewart in second along with Pete & Rachel Gray (Staunton) in a Scorpion to complete the fast fleet leaders.
The Slow fleet saw 420s, Lasers, Aeros, Solos all near the top. Sam Grayton and Raife Piggott (Notts County) winning in their 420 and also winning the Junior prize, Joe Scurrah was next in a Laser Radial (Carsington), with Andy Ritchie (Hykeham) third in an OK.
Windsurfers were represented by Ian Pilkington from Notts County who won the windsurfing trophy.
Prize-giving was with a depleted audience with many understandably leaving after racing to avoid mixing, however they had had a great day on the water.
The next event is the start of the Midlands Mini series at the end of January at Notts County.
More photos at ncsc.org.uk/2022/01/02/first-of-the-year-2022
Overall Results: (top three)
Fast Fleet
1st Jamie Mawson (Notts County SC) RS600
2nd Kevin Hope and Andy Stewart (Notts County SC), Fireball
3rd Peter and Rachel Gray (Staunton Harold SC) Scorpion
Slow fleet
1st Sam Grayton and Raife Piggott (Notts County SC) 420
2nd Joe Scurrah (Carsington SC) Laser radial
3rd Andy Ritchie (Hykeham SC) OK
Topper
1st Sammy Mason (Notts County SC)
