Wednesday, March 9, 2011

COLUMBIA 24

Boat: COLUMBIA 24

Builder: Columbia Yachts

Designer: Joseph McGlasson

More: COLUMBIA 24 Specifications

News:

Streaker Nationals at Filey Sailing Club


Author: Ian Fletcher

Filey SC hosted the 2000 Streaker National Championships on 24 – 25 June. 22 Competitors were greeted with a NW force 3-4 which provided ideal sailing conditions.

Race 1 saw good starts from Alan Gillard (Sheffield Vilking S.C), Roger Finbow (Pennine S.C) and Craig Raistrick (Pennine S.C.). At the windward mark the fleet was tightly bunched, however, Gillard established the lead followed by Peter Northen (Filey S.C.), and Mike Rimmer (Covenham S.C.). Gillard extended his lead and Rimmer showed superior downwind speed to pass Northen. The leaders held their positions to the finish followed by Edward Whitehead (Filey S.C.), Dan Rimmer (Covenham S.C) and Raistrick.

Nick Lovell (Covenham S.C) was the early leader in Race 2 followed by Paul Crofts (Pennine S.C). Gillard recovered form an average start to lead around the windward mark followed by Raistrick, Mike Rimmer and Northen. Gillard again sailed clear of the fleet obtaining a 2 minute lead by the finish. The minor positions were closely contested with Whitehead, Mike Rimmer and Northen at some stage taking second position. Rimmer finally secured second place followed by Northen, Raistrick and Whitehead.

Sunday saw a forecast NNW 4-5 with a large swell. Northen and Mike Rimmer were first away and led around the windward mark followed by Gillard, Raistrick and Dan Rimmer. The fleet was unfortunate to be met by a squall when approaching the gybe mark which caused many of the leaders including Northen and Rimmer to capsize. In fact at one point only 9 boats remained upright putting the rescue facilities under pressure for a short while. Gillard took advantage of the situation and sailed conservatively, playing the percentages to establish the lead and win the race. Behind, Whitehead was second, followed by Lovell, Northen and Colin Aldred (Filey S.C.).

Races 4 & 5 were sailed back to back. The start of Race 4 saw the wind visibly increasing. Dan Rimmer started from the starboard end of the line and quickly tacked off onto port. Gillard started from the middle of the line and Northen form the port end. Raistrick rounded first followed by Gillard, Lovell and Northen. Raistrick and Gillard tussled for the lead on some fast reaches soon to be joined by Dan Rimmer who showed exceptional downwind speed, having rounded the windward mark in sixth place. Gillard established the lead on a gybe mark and soon opened up a 30 second lead. Northen caught Dan Rimmer and Raistrick, only to be luffed by Raistrick which allowed Rimmer to secure second position followed by Raitrick. However, Northen allowed Whitehead to pass him on the final beat.

With four straight wins and the Championships secured, Gillard elected not to sail the final race. This set up a ‘battle royal’ for the minor places between Raistrick, Northen, Dan Rimmer and Whitehead. Raistrick led around the windward mark followed by Rimmer, Northen, Lovell and Finbow. Whitehead was unfortunate to hit the committee boat at the start and therefore incurred a penalty which meant that he rounded in last place. Raistrick extended his lead which he looked like comfortably holding until the finish. Behind Rimmer and Northen were battling for second – Northen was faster upwind, whilst Rimmer was faster downwind. On the final downwind set of legs Rimmer found extraordinary speed to pull back 75 yards on Raistrick which meant that they started the final beat neck and neck. A covering battle ensued which almost allowed the fast closing Northen and rejuvenated Whitehead to pass. At the finish it was Raistrick followed by Rimmer, Northen and Whitehead.

Overall Results:



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