MUSTO Skiff Open at Tynemouth Sailing Club 28th and 29th September 2019
Report by Alastair Conn
12 MUSTO Skiffs visited Tynemouth Sailing Club on 28th and 29th September for a combined open meeting with the International 14 class.
Day one started with a strong off-shore wind gusting 28kts which proved challenging conditions for the fleet. Sam Pascoe showed some impressive upwind speed to lead race 1 at the first windward mark but a capsize downwind let Ian Trotter through to lead most of the race. Ian went for a brief swim just before the finish to hand victory to Robbie Wilson. Ian recovered to second ahead of Alastair Conn in third.
Race 2 was led at the first windward mark by Alastair Conn, but a capsize let Ian Trotter through on the first downwind and he led the race to the finish. Euan Hunter sailed an excellent race to take second place.
Race 3 was another race win for Ian Totter, with Robbie Wilson in second. This left Ian Trotter with the overnight lead, with Robbie Wilson second, and Sam Pascoe in third.
The fleet enjoyed a hog roast and plenty of drinks on the Saturday evening with the International 14 fleet.
Day 2 brought more strong winds, but from a new north-easterly on-shore direction which brought with it some big waves.
Race 4 was a battle at the front between Alastair Conn and Sam Pascoe. The main challenge facing the sailors was how much to push the boat downwind, with the big waves causing plenty of problems for the skiffs. Alastair Conn held on to take victory ahead of Sam Pascoe, with Trotter in third and Robbie Wilson in fourth.
Race 5 saw Alastair Conn capsize at the first windward mark to give up the lead to Robbie Wilson, who narrowly avoided being taken out by Alastair Conn’s capsizing boat (sorry Robbie!). Robbie went on to take the victory ahead of Ian Trotter and Sam Pascoe.
Going into the final race it was all to play for between Ian Trotter and Robbie Wilson for overall victory. There was also a close battle for third place between Alastair Conn and Sam Pascoe. Robbie Wilson took the race victory after Sam Pascoe over stood the windward mark to give up the lead. John Evans sailed an excellent race to take second place ahead of Alastair Conn and Sam Pascoe. Unfortunately for Ian, tiredness got the better of him, as it had a lot of the fleet in the difficult conditions, and he scored DNF.
That left Robbie Wilson and Ian Trotter tied on 9 points, with Robbie taking the victory overall with three race wins.
Congratulations to Robbie Wilson and thanks to Tynemouth Sailing Club for hosting an excellent open meeting.
1st Robbie Wilson – Wormit BC – 9pts
2nd Ian Trotter – Derwent Reservoir SC – 9pts
3rd Alastair Conn – Derwent Reservoir SC – 15pts
4th Sam Pascoe –Castle Cove SC – 15pts
5th Euan Hunter – Dalgety Bay SC – 21.5pts
6th John Evans – Derwent Reservoir SC – 24.5pts
7th Ian Escritt – Yorkshire Dales SC – 35pts
8th Kieran Graham – Derwent Reservoir SC – 47pts
9th John McAfee – Derwent Reservoir SC – 50pts
10th Tom Conway – Derwent Reservoir SC – 54pts
11th Danny Boatman – Sunderland YC – 60pts
12th Josh Dawson – Derwent Reservoir SC – 68pts
