Yeovil Marblehead Ranking Saturday October 3rd 2015

For the penultimate Marblehead Ranking race of the year 2 Yeovil competitors were joined by 18 visitors from far and wide keen to score ranking points with the prospect of Lake Garda next year. On arrival the picturesque Sutton Bingham reservoir was shrouded in thick mist to the extent that only the nearest buoys were visible. Very gradually the fog cleared to reveal a pleasant sunny day but the wind was elusive with pressure and direction constantly changing-definitely top suit weather and for RO Tony Edwards the worst nightmare. The good news was that the water level was up and the reservoir has no weed problem although the carp were jumping to record highs!

After an initial delay a very light mostly westerly wind emerged, totally opposite to the scheduled forecast direction, and which at least allowed ‘racing’ to commence. The seeding races were won by Hugh McAdoo with his Prime Number and Brad Gibson sailing his ‘pimped’ Paradox. Once into the HMS schedule Brad continued to dominate the A heat with his uncanny knack of being in the right place to pick up the next zephyr. Behind Brad Darin Ballington was the most consistent but consistency in the difficult conditions was a scarce commodity for the remainder.

There was a mid-day pause while the wind turned off for a while and decided where to come from next. Eventually the occasional small draft came randomly from NE or NW, the worst direction possible for the reservoir. A Zig Zag course was set to give the chance of some beating on at least one leg and after a few goes competitors seemed settle to the complication. Brad, as usual in direct communication with the gods, continued to dominate and was only prevented from a perfect score by local James Edwards (Paradox) who decided to win race 5 by some distance.

In all 7 races were completed with the wind gradually dying away during race 7 with this last race concluding shortly after 5.00pm. Darin Ballington sailing an updated ROK secured 2nd overall with a string of 2nds and 3rds. The results behind Brad and Darin were much more open with 2 Quarks, a Prime Number, a Crazy Tube and several Paradox’s all contesting the top positions. In the end it was Hugh McAdoo who secured the coveted 3rd spot. For the full blow by blow account please see the results sheet. Except for the winner most were home in time to watch the most disappointing and perhaps inevitable England Rugby result.

Full Scores here
Pictures by Sue Brown will be online soon here

For further info on the Marblehead the class website can be found here