Musto Skiff Open
- 24 & 25 March 2012 Rutland Water Sailing Club
Article: Ben Schooling
18 boats assembled for round 2 of the
circuit, with only Bruce Keen and Nigel Walbank travelling
up from the South coast given the very light forecast.
The PRO was optimistic the races would run and sure
enough the fog burnt off around 11:30 to reveal a light
4-5kts SE and brilliant sunshine.
Racing got underway about 12:30 and from
the gun the pack tacked off and headed right up the
first beat with better pressure appearing off the shore.
Dave Poston picked the layline and lead round the windward
mark but the finish Sten had pulled through to take
the bullet with Dave in 2nd and a good result for Luke
Draper in 3rd.
Race 2 was a copy of Race 1 with the right
hand side paying. With the B14 fleet catching up the
Musto’s keeping clean air was the name of the game in
the short 2 lap races. Sten again showed great downwind
pace in the light airs and after a good battle into
the finish secured victory from James Sainsbury with
Ben Schooling rounding out the top 3.
Race 3 and Tim Chapman started on the
pin and cleared the fleet on lifting port tack to pull
out a comfortable lead by windward mark. With some large
holes forming around the course it was a tricky game
to keep pressure in the sails. Despite Sten breathing
down his neck Chappers held his nerve and took line
honours with Nigel Walbank in 3rd. A combined podium
age of ??? ;-)
The 49ers and B14’s decided 3 was enough
and headed in but after a short on the water discussion
the consensus amongst the Mustos was to hold a 4th a
secure a discard and take the pressure off Sunday. In
Race 4 Steve Tylecote got into the groove to take a
comfortable win from Bruce Keen and Dave Poston.
Sunday again dawned foggy and cold but
the flags could be seen to be fluttering through the
murk and by 11am the sun had again burnt through to
reveal a 4-7kt ESE. With the slight increase in pressure
the PRO opted for 3 lappers giving the fleet more of
a chance to swap places.
Race 5 and the majority of the fleet broke
right following Saturdays’ formula but it with the wind
slightly more out he East it was the left side which
turned out to be paying. Newcomer Patrick Keen fetched
into the mark on port and rounded first with the pack
hot on his heals. By the 2nd lap a close battle developed
between Sten and Schooling with places swapping down
the run. By the finish Sten had inched ahead to take
the gun with David Annan finding some good pressure
on the last run to come home 3rd.
The final race saw the left side of the
beat pay off again and Mick Keates who’d rung the bell
came out clear ahead at the windward. By the finish
Nigel Walbank had pulled through with Mick in 2nd and
David Annan rounding out a good day with another 3rd.
Overall from 5th to 2nd was very
close on points but congratulations to Richard Stenhouse
for another master class performance in the light stuff.
Next UK event is Stokes Bay 14/15th April and good luck
to those going to France over Easter.
Full
results
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