Larks from as far afield as Cumbria and the south coast descended on Barnt Green for the annual Lark open meeting last weekend. They were greeted by warm sunny weather, but little wind.

After a practice race won by Paul Gardner and Kathrine Sampson, the first points race was contested by Bob and Kelsey Suggitt and Emma Harris and Becky Priest, who broke away from the fleet early and kept a 200 metre lead until the last two legs of the course, until the vagaries of the wind took a hand. The Suggitts kept their lead, but Steve Cumley and Eluned Jones sailed around Harris/Priest to take second on the line.

The singlehanded race (with full rig including spinnakers) was held in the best breeze of the weekend and was won by Steve Cumley who, although finishing third on the water, benefitted from retirements by Bob Suggitt and Chris Biglin.

Sunday provided less wind and despite leading for most of the race, the Suggitts had to give second best to John Billington and Sue Mellor at the last mark.

In the third points race the Suggitts were again in the lead coming into the final mark and survived the wind filling in from behind and claimed the win which decided the meeting.

Only seven boats started the final race which started in a flat calm, and as happens, the wind filled in to give the best conditions of the day.The Suggitts were again leading near the end but sailed into a hole; Billington went right and took the lead, Cumley went left and took second, while Suggitt had to settle for third.Larks at Barnt Green

Larks from as far afield as Cumbria and the south coast descended on Barnt Green for the annual Lark open meeting last weekend. They were greeted by warm sunny weather, but little wind.

After a practice race won by Paul Gardner and Kathrine Sampson, the first points race was contested by Bob and Kelsey Suggitt and Emma Harris and Becky Priest, who broke away from the fleet early and kept a 200 metre lead until the last two legs of the course, until the vagaries of the wind took a hand. The Suggitts kept their lead, but Steve Cumley and Eluned Jones sailed around Harris/Priest to take second on the line.

The singlehanded race (with full rig including spinnakers) was held in the best breeze of the weekend and was won by Steve Cumley who, although finishing third on the water, benefitted from retirements by Bob Suggitt and Chris Biglin.

Sunday provided less wind and despite leading for most of the race, the Suggitts had to give second best to John Billington and Sue Mellor at the last mark.

In the third points race the Suggitts were again in the lead coming into the final mark and survived the wind filling in from behind and claimed the win which decided the meeting.

Only seven boats started the final race which started in a flat calm, and as happens, the wind filled in to give the best conditions of the day.The Suggitts were again leading near the end but sailed into a hole; Billington went right and took the lead, Cumley went left and took second, while Suggitt had to settle for third.Larks at Barnt Green

Larks from as far afield as Cumbria and the south coast descended on Barnt Green for the annual Lark open meeting last weekend. They were greeted by warm sunny weather, but little wind.

After a practice race won by Paul Gardner and Kathrine Sampson, the first points race was contested by Bob and Kelsey Suggitt and Emma Harris and Becky Priest, who broke away from the fleet early and kept a 200 metre lead until the last two legs of the course, until the vagaries of the wind took a hand. The Suggitts kept their lead, but Steve Cumley and Eluned Jones sailed around Harris/Priest to take second on the line.

The singlehanded race (with full rig including spinnakers) was held in the best breeze of the weekend and was won by Steve Cumley who, although finishing third on the water, benefitted from retirements by Bob Suggitt and Chris Biglin.

Sunday provided less wind and despite leading for most of the race, the Suggitts had to give second best to John Billington and Sue Mellor at the last mark.

In the third points race the Suggitts were again in the lead coming into the final mark and survived the wind filling in from behind and claimed the win which decided the meeting.

Only seven boats started the final race which started in a flat calm, and as happens, the wind filled in to give the best conditions of the day.The Suggitts were again leading near the end but sailed into a hole; Billington went right and took the lead, Cumley went left and took second, while Suggitt had to settle for third.

Overall Results

1st Bob and Kelsey Suggitt Barnt Green 4pts

2nd John Billington and Sue Mellor South Staffs 5pts

3rd Steve Cumley and Eluned Jones Elton 9pts

4th Mark Ampleford an LeeNankervis Penzance 13pts

5th Chris Biglin and Ann Biglin Shustoke 16pts

Overall Results

1st Bob and Kelsey Suggitt Barnt Green 4pts

2nd John Billington and Sue Mellor South Staffs 5pts

3rd Steve Cumley and Eluned Jones Elton 9pts

4th Mark Ampleford an LeeNankervis Penzance 13pts

5th Chris Biglin and Ann Biglin Shustoke 16pts