|
|
Videlo Globe Trophy
|
History
|
Report by Keith Parrott
Pictures by Roger Stollery
This is the first time this event has been run mid-week, weekend dates in April being unavailable due to major dinghy events at the sailing club. It was therefore very rewarding to have nearly all of the regular Footy skippers making the journey to Frensham to take part. Only John Burgoine could not make it but his place was taken by Keith Bell, new to the Footy circuit but a very capable skipper.
Roger Stollery as RO ably assisted by Bryan Stitchbury throughout the day set a simple windward leeward course with separate start and finish lines. Roger in his usual meticulous manner realigned the course after races 1 & 2 to take any bias out of the start line and gate at the windward end against the mostly south westerly breeze. The breeze started the day lighter than forecast and several of the skippers sported “A” rigs for the first two races but as the day went on “B” and “C” became the norm with occasional gusts causing most of the boats to broach at times.
Pictures by Roger Stollery
This is the first time this event has been run mid-week, weekend dates in April being unavailable due to major dinghy events at the sailing club. It was therefore very rewarding to have nearly all of the regular Footy skippers making the journey to Frensham to take part. Only John Burgoine could not make it but his place was taken by Keith Bell, new to the Footy circuit but a very capable skipper.
Roger Stollery as RO ably assisted by Bryan Stitchbury throughout the day set a simple windward leeward course with separate start and finish lines. Roger in his usual meticulous manner realigned the course after races 1 & 2 to take any bias out of the start line and gate at the windward end against the mostly south westerly breeze. The breeze started the day lighter than forecast and several of the skippers sported “A” rigs for the first two races but as the day went on “B” and “C” became the norm with occasional gusts causing most of the boats to broach at times.
Peter Jackson made a good start with a win in the first two races sailing his new IBEX design Footy, he being determined to wrest the trophy away from Peter Shepherd who has won it for the previous 3 years. Whilst Peter Shepherd sailing his trusted FAT BOY Footy after a slow start fought back as the event rolled on. Mike Ewart, Keith Bell and David Wilkinson sailed very consistently, finishing in that relative order taking most of the 3rd 4th and 5th places between them during the event.
Sid Simms who did not have one of his best days, had an enjoyable private battle with Colin Robertson throughout the day.
Of the local Frensham skippers, John Haine could only sail for the morning whilst Steve Hill and Frank Wood were sailing boats that were not of one of the usual competitive designs. All along with Colin Robertson showed their lack of experience and practise of sailing at this level of competition. Graham Whitehead pushed Keith Parrott hard who got his usual 6th pace overall back after the last Footy event and is still trying to break into the top 5 group of Footy skippers.
The results and prize giving took place in the club house whilst tea and cakes were consumed. The final placings being, a close win for Peter Shepherd over Peter Jackson followed by 3rd Mike Ewart, 4th Keith Bell, 5th David Wilkinson, 6th Keith Parrott, 7th Graham Whitehead, 8th Sid Simms, 9th Colin Robertson, 10th Frank Wood, 11th Steve Hill, 12th John Haine.
The Mid Week event was considered to be a success so much so that it was suggested that Frensham should consider running two events next year to bring the bias of Footy Open events further south away from the concentration in the Midlands.
Thanks go to The Race Team, RO Roger Stollery, Bryan Stitchbury and Roger Carter for a well run event.
