Gull Inland Championships at Horning Sailing Club
by Holly Hancock 15 Jul 2008 05:29 PDT
12-13 July 2008
Keen racing at the Gull Inland Championships © Paul William
The Gull Inland Championships, hosted by Horning Sailing Club, were held on Black Horse Broad over the weekend of 12/13th July 2008.
The racing on Saturday afternoon saw very variable conditions, from flat calm to gusty in the showers, resulting in several capsizes and even a sinking! The event attracted ten entrants, with visitors from as far afield as Kent.
Both races on Saturday were won by Jane Williams crewed by one of Horning’s Junior Section sailors, 10-year-old Matthew Varcoe, after a closely contested first race, but leading from the start in the second. With a further win on the Sunday, Jane went on to take the title overall.
Sunday’s racing, although held in lighter winds, was just as challenging as the previous day’s in many ways, with the wind seemingly swinging 90 degrees every few minutes, making setting a course extremely difficult.
Consistently good performances from University students Jim Thomas and Piers rewarded them with second place overall, and third was Gordon Williams crewed by another of Horning’s Junior representatives, Ezra Bailey. In fourth place was Paul Clarke sailing with his young daughter Sarah, who also experienced her first capsize during the weekend’s events – although managing to stay dry throughout!
The Trophy for the U18’s went to yet another Horning Junior, 16-year-old Tom Heaffey, for the third year running.
Results:
1st Jane Williams & Matthew Varcoe , 2275
2nd Jim Thomas & Piers , 1986
3rd Gordon Williams & Ezra Bailey , 2600
4th Paul Clarke & Sarah Clarke , 1987
5th Honor Craig-Bennett & crew , 570