Cheddar Steam Club Open
Saturday 25th June 2016

I would like to start this report by saying that sadly Brian Issac, the driving force behind the Footy Class at Cheddar was taken ill earlier in the year and has only just come out of hospital and so was unable to make the event, I am sure all of those attending the event wish him well in his recovery. The two Cheddar Steamers, Norman Andrew & Kevin Newman, having been thrown in at the deep end, managed very well in organising a most enjoyable event.
I have to admit I was somewhat concerned about the venue, with the bowl like pond and the surounding terrain and foliage however I needn't have worried the Footy Gods favoured us and provided the dozen skippers who attended with wind and a great event.

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Initially the wind was passing across the front of the club house from right to left which gave us a wide start line and then three upwind downwind legs with a broadish reach to a finish in front of the "packed grandstand" however by race four it had shifted entirely by 90 degree's and so we took a short break for tea and reset the course with almost the same style however with a greater couple of broad reaches to once again the same "grandstand" finish.

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acing got underway at 10am, an immeadiately Peter Shepherd was on the pace posting two wins starting from the far end of the line to give himself the easiest run into the first mark and continually rounding the far mark which as he was one of only a couple of boats using this route, more often than not left him in clear air  and gaining places. Once the course changed at race five John Burgoine and Mike Ewart were quickly on the pace, and with Mike having to change hulls (due to damage, you must dstop dropping them Mike!) It was great to watch these two battle it out more often than not.
Peter Shepherd kept popping up with the odd win to keep his bow bumper in front. David Wilkinson looked like he might challange at one stage, Peter jackson "Mr Consistancy " for once wasn't, even having some unplanned F Plan technical difficulties.
Trevor Thomas's glass remained half empty until race 15, performance of the day, and consequently the Novice Trophy for this event goes to Ian Campbell of Weymouth & Portland MBC, who having completed and registered his "Hive" design just the week before, sailed it into a very creditable 7th place, often challenging for places higher within the races.

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Footy scene regulars Keith Parrott and Sid Sims mixed it with the Cheddar Steam trio of Kevin Newman, Colin Robertson and Norman Andrew, so everyone was in a race somewhere in the fleet.
Our generous thanks go to Vic who manned the start line and counted the fleet home enabling everyone to race and the ladies of the Cheddar Steam clubhouse who provided us with tea cake and all the vitals to keep the skippers on top form.

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On we go to next months competitions XFSACT 5 in Abinton Park Sat 2nd July 2016 and the Birmingham Open "look out for the lemon drizzle cake" Sat 23rd July 2016.