Marblehead Brass Monkey and GAMES 10 event at Guildford Model Yacht Club
by Roger Stollery 12 Dec 2023 09:03 PST
RO Martin Crysell handing over the trophy to the winner, Rob Vice - Brass Monkey and GAMES 10 event at Guildford © Roger Stollery
Heavy rain caused chaos on the roads with huge puddles, which caused the Gosport team to turn back when the roads were closed. 6 Marbleheads sailed 11 races successfully in weird conditions when the change from southerly to westerly winds forecast at 10:30 didn't arrive until lunchtime!
The light and very variable winds were a nightmare for RO Martin Crysell, who handled it well including creating the traditional lunch break early with hot mulled wine, sausage rolls and mince pies, which were enjoyed by all. At the break Peter Stollery was at the top of the lunchtime leaderboard with 8 points followed by Rob Vice 10 and David Cole 17.
The gathering westerly wind after lunch became so strong that the tent protecting the tables of prizes, paperwork etc was in danger of being blown away and had to be taken down.
The afternoon's racing was a great deal of fun with speed and mishaps on the downwind leg and the strong black gusts flattening those with too big a rig on the beat. Rob was in his element sailing his orange GRUNGE finishing with one third and 5 wins to retain the BRASS MONKEY trophy that he won last year.
This event was also the finale of the 2023 GAMES series won by Nigel Barrow who sailed consistently well throughout the year. By his win in this event Rob Vice raised his score to put him into 2nd above Roger Stollery.
Martin Crysell was thanked by all at the prize-giving for running this event well in such appalling conditions.
Results:
1st Rob Vice, Guildford, GRUNGE, 13 points
2nd Peter Stollery, Guildford, UP, 20 points
3rd David Cole, Hampton Court, GRUNGE, 30 points
4th Nigel Barrow, Frensham Pond, GRUNGE, 31 points
5th Oliver Stollery, Guildford, UPROAR, 34 points
6th Roger Stollery, Guildford, UP, 34 points
2023 GAMES results overall:
1. Nigel Barrow, 350 points
2. Rob Vice, 303.7 points
3. Roger Stollery, 261 points