Byte open meeting at Haversham Sailing Club

Byte open meeting at Haversham Sailing Club © Gordon Tweedle

Byte open meeting at Haversham Sailing Club © Gordon Tweedle

Nine bytes congregated near Milton Keynes for the last Byte open meeting of the season, with six races held over two days.

A north-westerly wind blew all weekend, with gusts of over 27mph according to the club anemometer, and over 30 mph according to the sailors. The gusts were unpredictable, curving into the sheltered parts of the lake to catch out the unwary whilst they tried to gybe. Seven intrepid sailors tackled the Saturday races, joined by two more, Rob Bell and Gary Hogan, on Sunday, when the wind strengthened.

Rick Whitehouse made sufficiently good starts to get round the windward mark first in every race, closely followed by a group usually containing Mike Radford, Alan Roberts and Rachel Moore. Rick and Mike then got away from the fleet in most races, both sailing new Hartley built boats. In both races one and two Rick then capsized on the last gybe (see above) to let Mike through to win.

Alan Roberts, who was sailing fast and threatening the leaders suffered various setbacks to drop out of the finishing positions on Saturday. Maggie Futcher, who finished 5th in the first race also retired gracefully from further sailing on Saturday. Cathy Bartram had a consistent days sailing, finishing 4,4, 3 on Saturday. Tom Mackinder, a keen windsurfer but new to sailing dinghies, found the experience exhilarating, hard work and, perhaps, not as easy as it looks?

Saturday night entertainment at the club was a sit down three course meal, celebrating Trafalgar, with a two part quiz on skippers (who was captain of the Black Pig?) part way through and a sing-song (sea shanties) to finish. Several hardy (captain of the Victory) Byte sailors then camped in the field beside the clubhouse in the lee of their cars – more comfortable than it sounds, with breakfast then provided in the clubhouse next morning.

Sunday was windier! Rick learned from his mistake the day before and managed to complete most races without capsizing on the gybe but the fleet was severely depleted by the strengthening gusts, with one non-starter in the second race but only three finishers, Rick, Mike and Rachel.

Race 3 on Sunday was still required, as Mike could take first place overall if he won the race and Rick finished 3rd. Despite several further capsizes, Rick won the last race to clinch the event, with Mike second and Rachel third. Overall a testing finish to the season, but an exhilarating and enjoyable weekend.

Final results:

1. Rick Whitehouse, Combs SC
2. Mike Radford, West Oxfordshire SC
3. Rachel Moore, Weston SC
4. Cathy Bartram, Chew Valley SC
5. Tom Mackinder, Weston SC
6. Alan Roberts
7. Rob Bell, Emberton Park SC
8. Maggie Futcher, Weston SC
9. Gary Hogan, Emberton Park SC