Event Date: 19/20 June 2021 | Report by Paul Molesworth
After a weekend of racing in Weymouth over 19/20 June, Bill Maughan wins the second round of the Musto Skiff Corona Cup 2021, a series of informal training events to complement the Southern circuit.
WPNSA saw the return for the new normal Musto Skiff event format, providing informality and flexibility to adapt to the ever-changing way of life. With the preceding days of glorious sunshine and sea breeze, everyone arrived ready for some Weybizza sailing, only to be greeted by light rain and lighter wind. Undeterred by this, the sailors were introduced to the race team of Sam Pascoe’s dad and family friends (who must have been in the wrong place at the right time to get drafted in), and after a short briefing, it was off to the race course.
The racing started with the unfamiliar sight of Paul Molesworth starting at the committee boat and powering off the line, others must have thought he was lost as he was left to sail along unchallenged for the win, with Sam claiming a 2nd and Jason Rickards also sailing well to come in 3rd.
The following races saw a similar group fighting out for the top spots with the yellow kite of Bill Maughan keen to be involved, and getting a bullet in race 4. The 5th race saw Brennan Robinson finding his mojo and pulling out a good lead. Although approaching the final top mark, Jason’s laugh was heard across the fleet as he, along with Andy Rice, had seen the new wind building from the right and he was left with an easy win. That was enough for the day, 5 races in the space of 2hrs, and amazing work by the race team and definitely a test of fitness.
If it was thought that the wind on the first day was light, day two was worse, although after an hour of sitting around on the beach, everyone concluded that we were here to sail and decided to set off in hope. With a new Race Team drafted in, along with Lord Hilton making an appearance having driven down from Aberdeen for one day’s sailing, (he said he had some friends to catch up with as-well).
Sam clearly had tips from his dad after the first day and was showing his speed to get the first 2 wins, with Bill also on fire and fighting out at the top. Paul and Jason could not repeat their first day performance and slipped down the leader board, and by the mid-point of the day Jason headed home to find some new toys for his pram.
The end result of 10 races in 2 days was an amazing achievement from both race teams and some well-practiced sailors. After an overnight recount of the scores, Bill is given the overall win, with Sam in second, and Paul in third. Next, we are on to the Nationals in Sunderland, and talk of another Corona Cup.
Results from Corona Cup Round 2, Solent, 19/20 June 2021:
Images: © Natalie Hilton
