2008 Lakeside SC (Ferry Meadows) SigneT Open Meeting Report and Results

Open Meeting Report

By Cate Whiteside

Seven SigneTs travelled to Nene Park in Peterborough to compete in the last SigneT open meeting of 2008. Some crews arrived tired and with sore heads due to the drawn out committee meeting the previous night which had allowed for more than a few drinks to be consumed along with a now traditional Overs Chinese Takeaway.

The competing boats and crews were

• ST368 June, Helmed by Richard Cannon, Crewed by Rob Britton
• ST369 Over Easy, Helmed by Mike Baker, Crewed by Keith Hatton
• ST377 Cast Off, Helmed by John Pratt, Crewed by Steve Leeding
• ST690 Welsh Lady, Helmed by Will Davies, Crewed by Hannah Whiteside
• ST761 Signo Vinces, Helmed by Pat Overs, Crewed by Roy Melsom
• ST907 Juicy II, Helmed by Joyce Cowern, Crewed by Frank Cowern
• ST919 Significant Other, Helmed by Steve Whiteside, Crewed by Michael Whiteside

The fog cleared to glorious sunshine but very little wind. A 30 minute postponement went on for nearer an hour but finally they headed to the start line and we are pleased to say unlike at Fishers Green this was under their own sail. The club boats headed off first. ST907 took a strong lead but by the time they got to the windward mark ST368 had climbed from 3rd place to take the lead which he then held to the end. By which time what little wind we had died away completely. ST919 took 2nd place after the windward mark but at the next mark drifted into it and ended up last but one with only ST690 behind them. Those places were also held to the end of the race.

After lunch 2 races were then held back to back with a barely noticeable increase in the wind. All 7 boats made it back to the start line. ST919 took a different tack to the first mark where the whole fleet seemed to arrive in mass. ST919 came out in 2nd place behind ST761 and held this place to the end of that race. ST368 were seen doing a penalty just past the mark – it was inevitable that some one would. The wind was continually changing and as such so did the order of the other boats. Race 3 was much of the same. ST368 took and held the lead. The other boats alternated positions but the wind could not be relied upon.

Overall results for the day were ST368 first and ST761 helmed by Pat Overs in second place. Of note was ST919 coming 4th. It was Michael Whiteside’s first time as crew in a SigneT. They would all have preferred more wind but were pleased that the paddles only appeared briefly to get them back to the shore.

Lakeside Sailing Club is a lovely venue when the weather is great. We get a lot of interest in the dinghies as we rig and de-rig them in the car park. Those of us shore lovers cannot escape a little exercise – an amble around the lake took just under an hour and allowed us to capture a few photos from different angles. Hannah also met up with some fellow Cambridgeshire Team members who are members of the club.

Open Meeting Results

By Pat Overs

Sailed:3, Discards:1, To count:2, Ratings:PY, Entries:8.

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