Videlo Globe Trophy 2016

Videlo Globe Trophy
Sunday 10th April 2016

History
Past Winners

2015 Peter Shepherd
2014 Peter Shepherd
2013 Roger Stollery
2012 Hugh McAdoo
2011 Hugh McAdoo
2010 Rob Vice

Report by Keith Parrot (with embelishments by Peter Shepherd)
Pictures by Roger Stollery

A dozen skippers turned out to sail in the Videlo Globe Footy Open on Sunday 10th April. As forecast the weather was dry and bright but with a blustery East wind blowing across the pond from the beach. Most started on their B rigs but as the wind strength picked up by the end of the day all were using the smallest rig in their bag. We had four Frensham skippers sailing, with Bryan Stitchbury giving valuable support to Roger Stollery who was the Race Officer. The event was once again held in the most aimiable of atmospheres, with much good humour and bonne amie amongst the assembled company to make a good racing day into a wonderful event.

A simple windward leeward course was set with an offset start and finish line. There was a spreader at the windward end and a gate at the leeward end , although the wind was predominately from the East there were occasional shifts and swirls to catch out the unwary. The greater wind strength being further out away from the shore if you were on a bigger rig you stayed in on the small rig you went out, when the wind dropped you went out.
The Footy skippers from the midlands dominated with the Peters, Messers Shepherd and Jackson taking first and second place respectively. Last years Extreme Footy series winner Mike Ewart managing only fifth place.
The home skippers Keith P, Graham W, Frank W and Steve H placed 7th 8th 9th and 10th respectively with some good performances in the tricky conditions they are all improving and getting closer to those battle hardened Midlands skippers.

Despite the strong winds the reliability of these little boats was remarkable. In most of the races all boats finished and in no race were there less than 10 finishers. the wind was so strong the MYG is down one gazebo, when a gust of wind caught it and damaged one of the legs before we could get the guy ropes in place. The initial damage looked repairable but a further strong gust finished the job and we ended up with a twisted mass of metal.
The Lark's and Phantom Dinghies were tumbling in the background but the little Footies just kept on going.

Once again our many thanks go to Roger Stollery who set the course using an aluminium row boat, Race officered the event, did the scores, took photographs and generally was the man at the centre of things.
Take up the challenge and join the Footy revolution.
Keith P