Derbyshire youth sailors compete at Combs event
Combs Sailing Club near Chapel en le Frith, can be considered among the most picturesque of sailing clubs, especially on a fine sunny day when you can see the reflection of the Derbyshire hills in the glassy water of a still morning. That’s how the day started for the 4th event of the DYS 2008 series on Saturday 10th May. After a short while waiting for the wind, while either sunbathing, or fine tuning the set up of their dinghies, the sailors were rewarded with a Northerly light breeze developing from across the reservoir, so they launched for race one.
Just less than an hour later and after negotiating just one lap of the course, the race was finished with the double handed Enterprise dinghy of Mark Russell (18) and Ben Steel (15) of Toddbrook SC coming home in first place. Joss Richardson (9) of Trent Valley SC in his Optimist came in second having capitalised on a quickening breeze in the final part of the race, enabling him to catch and overtake the rest of the fleet on handicap. Jenny Saunders (16) of Staunton Harold SC took third place.
The wind dropped and a break for a delicious lunch was enjoyed. After lunch, a more promising breeze lifted from the South East and whilst not consistent, it remained enough for a good light wind race. Jenny Saunders, sailing a full rig on her Laser dinghy, dominated the sailing on the water, with some particularly good starting in all of the days’ races. However, the Enterprise crew sailed another fine race to come in first on handicap. Meanwhile, the Topper dinghies were enjoying close competition, with Sam Ford (15) from Burton SC, Charis Richardson (15) from Trent Valley SC and Harry Hill (15) from Toddbrook SC fighting it out at the front of the fleet, with the other five Topper sailors not far behind.
Proceedings were brought to a temporary halt as a Lancaster aircraft arrived unannounced and seemed to join in the event by an impromptu series of spectacular fly pasts. “It was amazing to see this magnificent plane above the Derbyshire countryside,” commented David Levick, “It really took us all by surprise and was the icing on the cake for a great days’ racing sailing.”
In the final race, the wind picked up further, and one or two sailors were even seen hiking out for a brief spell. Again Jenny Saunders dominated the start and established a commanding lead ahead of the fleet, followed by the invincible Enterprise. A nail biting battle for 3rd, 4th and 5th places ensued, all hanging on the last race, and these three positions changed several times during the three laps sailed, with Ben Crossdale (14) of Ogston SC, Tommi Cluley (15) of Staunton Harold SC and Harry Levick (16) of Carsington SC coming through in that order.
With the results finalised from the three race event, with two races to count, Mark Russell and Ben Steel took overall first place with Jenny Saunders in second and Ben Crossdale in third. Joss Richardson was first junior and Toby Woodings (10) of Carsington SC second junior in his Topper dinghy.
Ben Crossdale maintains his overall lead after four events of the ten event series and with the next two events at Ogston SC and Carsington SC in June, it is hoped that the High Peak sailors will venture South, to continue their campaign in the series, along with the other youth sailors from right around the county.
The Carsington SC event will also provide many of the sailors with a foretaste of the conditions for this years’ National Schools Sailing Association, National Youth Regatta being held at Carsington Water between 20th and 25th July. The Derbyshire team will be hoping to take full advantage of competing on home waters as they battle to secure as many of the National trophies as they can. The DYS organisers are still keen to hear from sponsors and supporters who want to take advantage of this major youth sailing event coming to Derbyshire.
Photo used with thanks to Ed Washington.