Blaze Open at Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht Club
by I Brooker 10 May 2007 23:28 PDT
6-7 May 2007
Eleven Blazes attended and were greeted with high winds. Despite a low tide race officer Tony Roe set a challenging P course with a tight start line.
Andrew Taylor led race 1 from start to finish, followed by Ian Brooker then Oliver Birtwistle.
With the breeze building race 2 was a triumph for lightweight Steve Baldam, followed by Ian Brooker with John Ainsworth 3rd.
Andrew Taylor was leading race 3 when his boom broke on the final beat – giving first place to John Ainsworth followed by Steve Baldam then Ian Brooker.
Monday's winds were stronger with gusts of 38 kts giving the heavyweights an edge. John Ainsworth won all three races, the lesser positions being taken by a mix of Brooker, Baldam and Birtwistle.
Multiple capsizes with Bob Johnson giving a masterclass in capsize technique both up and down wind, tacking and gybing. Dodgy DJ James Dyson accompanied by his new “squeeze” Harriette provided the evening entertainment!
Many thanks to all visitors and race officials.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Helm | Club | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | John Ainsworth | Weaver | 4 |
| 2nd | Steve Baldam | B&FYC | 7 |
| 3rd | Ian Brooker | B&FYC | 9 |
| 4th | Oliver Birtwistle | Burwain | 13 |
| 5th | James Dyson | Dodgy DJ | 19 |