Birmingham Open
&
Midlands District Championship
Saturday 23rd JulY 2016

A good turn out of eleven skippers attended sutton Sailing Club to race under the direction of hosts, Birmingham Model Yacht Club, the wind blew if a little fickle at times and definitely in the "Justin" range from the west albeit slightly across the lake as opposed to truely along it. Race Officer Ian McDonald ran a tight ship and we managed 13 races around the beat, reach, reach downwind, beat again course.
Peter Shepherd (Fat Boy 65) won five of the 13 races however an extremely poor run of five racesin the middle of the day left him finishing behaind the more consistant locel skipper John Burgoine (Ice, 35). Mike Ewart was trying out his carbon Slim 36, for the first time taking a little time to get to grips with it but getting better and better throughout the day. Goeff Raygada sailed his Bermuda rigged Fat boy Slim 41 to good effect, with Peter Jackson bringing up the back of this leading group.
Keith Parrott made the journey up from Frensham Pond and sailed his ICE 31 into a very respectable sixth place, just pipping local skipper Graham Tit, Slim Sui04 on countback, who was followed home by Sid Sims Fat Boy 05, and new boys Rod Upton 1299, Colin Robertson ICE 70, up from Cheddar Steam Club.
David Wilkinson retired half way through with a technical problem.

It was a good days racing, although the conditions did have a part to play and the deserved win went to John Burgoine.

Many thanks to all those from Birmingham MYC who helped and made this a special event.