A better than expected number of OKs were greeted by South Staffs Sailing Club, on Saturday 18 October. The wind was gusty and shifty all day, making conditions very testing.

Race one saw Jim Hunt reach the windward mark first, followed closely by a pack of four or five. At the third mark a wicked header caused Ian Harris to capsize to windward allowing Hunt and Gavin Waldron to get away. At the finish Hunt held on with Waldron a few seconds behind. Neil Goodhead just pipped Mike Edwards for third with Deryck Lovegrove a close fifth.

Race two developed the same pattern with Hunt leading from Waldron, but this time Harris capsized on the run. Hunt won comfortably from Waldron, with Goodhead and Edwards again fighting for third and finishing in that order. Keith Macaulay came in fifth and Lovegrove sixth.

The third race was again dominated by Hunt from start to finish. With a good battle for second between Waldron, Goodhead and Lovegrove, eventually finishing in that order.

Deryck Lovegrove showed good speed and consistency all day and was rewarded with the Veterans prize. Rodney Thorne typically arrived 10 minutes before the start of the first race. But managed to win the Super Veterans prize and then turned up ten minutes late for the prizegiving! The South Staffs boats again performed well after winning the team prize at the nationals.

Overall Results

1st Jim Hunt – South Staffs

2nd Gavin Waldron – South Staffs

3rd Neil Goodhead – South Staffs

4th Mike Edwards – South Staffs

5th Deryck Lovegrove – Kingsmead (Veteran)

6th Keith Macaulay – South staffs

7th John Owen – Dudley SC

8th Colin Slevin – South Staffs

9th Doris Thorne – Upper Thames (Super Unusual Veteran)

10th Dave Danbury – South Staffs

11th Paul Pike – Covenham

12th Ian Harris – Bristol Corinthian

13th Garath Jones – South Staffs

14th Roger Cooper – Upper Thames

15th Chris Rhodes – South Staffs