Bartley Beast 2023/24 - Week 3

Bartley Beast 2023/24 Week 3 © Alan Bowler

Saturday 13th January saw the third round of the series, the new year brought a softening of the forecast and the expectation for the full four back-to-back races with alternate double hander and single handers. Bartley SC was delighted to welcome many visiting sailors, making for some exciting competition with an entry of 40 double handers and over 50 single handed entries.

The day brought westerly 5/ 6 knts gusting to 12 knts that veered northerly at times during the day and kept race officers Steve Ward and team alert. The first double handed race started promptly at 11 o'clock setting the fleet off to make the most of the wind direction. The good mixed fleet from RS400 to Graduate, with Merlins, GP14 and Enterprise led to dynamic positioning with spinnaker boats having the advantage downwind. The head-to-head tussle at the front between Tom Gillard and Rachel Gray in their Merlin and Sam Knight and Chris Bownes in the RS400 changing places regularly as different tactical choices played out round the racecourse reflecting the characteristics of the different boats.

Bartley Beast 2023/24 Week 3 - photo © Alan Bowler

Tom and Rachel seemed able to find pressure when others struggled and took line honours, with the Merlins of Rich Adams and Rob Kennaugh chasing. The second race later in the day was met with sunshine and a consistent but shifty breeze. A general recall and a right shift on the second start challenged many but with Caroline Whithouse and daughter Sophie in the RS200 and Chris Martin and Josh Oates in a Scorpion able to squeeze out from the pin end for great starts. Caroline and Sophie pushed hard for fourth on corrected time, with Tom and Rachel taking line honours again leading Sam and Chis home followed by Rich Adams and Sean Anderson in a Merlin. It was great to see the junior crews starting to complete, with Anita and Saoirise in a 420, Dan and Matt Seaton in an RS400 and Lee and Rohan in RS200.

Bartley Beast 2023/24 Week 3 - photo © Alan Bowler

The single handers also had a successful day, only one recall! with wind holding reasonably well in the January sunshine. Upwind with Phantoms leading the way, but Supernova, ILCA, Solos, Comets all trying to point as high as the K1s making up the competitive fleet. The racing was close and making for exciting viewing for the spectators. Line hours in race one went to Duncan Adams followed by Matt Pritchard in Phantoms and Sam Knight 3rd in his Supernova. The pattern was repeated in Race 2. Mention should go to Jeremy Shinton and Chris Swallow in their K1s who mixed it up in both races.

The overall results saw Tom and Rachel win the double hander fleet, with Sam and Chris taking second. Third and fourth were the Merlins of Rich Adams and Sean Anderson followed by Rob Kennaugh and Andrew Prosser and first junior Isobel Keeling sailing the National 12 with dad Paul Keeling in 5th. In the single handers Sam Knight put in a dominant performance in his Supernova with Phantoms of Duncan Adams and Matt Prichard, and Jeremy Shinton in his K1 taking the top spots. Racing was very competitive through the fleets with the Phantoms finishing less than 2 seconds apart in both races and Sam winning in one by only 6 seconds on corrected time.

Bartley Beast 2023/24 Week 3 - photo © Alan Bowler

As the third leg of the series concludes, the overall results start to develop showing Chris Martin with Josh Oates leading the double handers and Duncan Adams in his Phantom leading the single handers, but with 2 discards to come when the last 2 races are sailed the picture could well change.

Thank-yous must be made to the duty crew who faced the challenges of setting courses in some shifty conditions as well as Tilly's galley for keeping us fed and the bar open as the day cooled. Thanks also to the work behind the scenes of all the people who make this event possible and the continued support of our sponsors. A mention to Sam Knight Chris Bownes who are leaving Bartley SC as Sam and family move South. We wish both well as they continue to enjoy their sailing.

Full results can be found on the website under results for open meetings or by following the [add link]. We look forward to seeing all for the final round the Beast 'Burn out' on 10th February for the final instalment of Bartley Beast, entries for the day remain open.

Day 3 Results:

Double Handers

Single Handers