2023 Ash Trophy Open for DF 95s at Abbey Meads Report
14 entries from 11 clubs from nearly every MYA District turned out for some excellent racing on a simple windward leeward course. 21 races were sailed in a variable, but basically easterly breeze, which in the afternoon, when the wind went a bit northerly, would test the DF 95s off wind in the strongest gusts.
All but 6 competitors won a race and several won more than one, but the results were dominated by Dave Adams from the East Kent Radio Sailing Club, who won 10 races, and when he was not winning, always counted podium scores.
By lunchtime 13 races had been completed and the leaderboard was headed by Dave Adams with 20 points ahead of last year’s winner Buzz Coleman with 43 and Shaun Anderson 45.
For the afternoon there were 3 retirements. Barrie Martin fell into the water getting his boat out and 2 other competitors no longer wanted to sail and went home. With the wind more from the east north-east and increasing in strength, the afternoon racing was exciting. Boats were planing offwind for most of the downwind leg, and in the dark gusts struggling to keep control with bows underwater, broaching etc.
The afternoon results were predictable with Dave Adams sailing really well, sticking to the rhumb line on the beat, and benefiting from the big wind variations to get 4 firsts in a row. Local sailor, Alan Viney having won the very first race of the day carried on improving and won the very last race of the day to take him onto the podium in 3rd place.
Everyone said that they enjoyed themselves and most of the incidents hailed by observers Martin Crysell and RO Roger Stollery were resolved on the water. Competitors taking advantage of the IRSA Short Penalty, which was in operation to do just a tack or gybe and keep them clear of the rest of the fleet.
At the prize giving the race team were thanked for running another good event at Abbey Meads and particular thanks went to Janet Crix & Slieve McGaliard for ensuring that the scoring system worked OK on the laptop.
Results:
1st Dave Adams, East Kent RSC 27 points
2nd Buzz Coleman, Coalhouse Fort RYC 54
3rd Alan Viney, Guildford MYC 62
4th Shaun Anderson, Whitefriars SC 76
5th Richard Calas, Gosport MYBC 84
6th Martyn Aspinall, Rotherham MYC 97
7th David Coode, Guildford MYC 100
8th Simon Johnson, Hampton Court MYC 110
9th Jay Williamson, Springfield SC 124
10th Barrie Martin, London MYC 149
11th John Crix, Eastbourne & Dist MYC 158
12th Slieve McGalliard, Guildford MYC 172
13th Simon Collyer, Alton RCSC 197
14th Mike Wilkie, Hampton Court MYC 262
Report by Roger Stollery
The full results are available HERE:
Here is a link to the report, with photos, in “Yachts & Yachting”. https://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/260964/DF95-Ash-Trophy-at-Guildford