CVRDA Meeting At Roadford Lake S.C. 2nd-3rd July 2023
17 competitors form all across the country travelled to Roadford Lake in Devon for this event from as far away as Cheshire, Cambridgeshire and the Isle of Wright. The competition was close with two classes fighting out the top four positions, those that managed the strong gusty variable direction of the wind coming out on top.
Saturday saw a strong wind generally in a westerly direction with a lot of shifts which provided problems for the race team as well as those competing. Normally at Roadford the International Lowrider Moths do well, but the shifting winds and variable wind speed made it difficult for even the most experienced helms over the two days and caused many capsizes. The Minisail Sprint sailed by Gordon Finley unfortunately suffer a broken mast due to the conditions. At the conclusion of the first day’s racing, it looked to be a shoot out between four boats, two Albacores and two Finns, with two International Moths close behind. The Albacores were holding the upper places.
The following day the wind was still variable with some heavy gust resulting in a forestay failure on Simon Montgomery’s Flying Fifteen, one of three taking part. This was soon replaced and he was out again for the next race. Again it was the very well sailed Albacores and Finns setting the pace.The final winners were Albacore 6439 sailed by Jean and Derek Simmons Royal Torbay Y.C. who won every race. Second, in a borrowed Albacore 7143, were very experienced Enterprise racers Keith and Ann Whitfield from Hooe Point S.C., who had six second places. Third and sailing a Finn for the first time was Liam McGarth from Roadford Lake S.C. in Finn 744, a Vanguard Finn which had previously been an Irish Olympic Finn. Fourth and only one point behind Liam, was John Barnes from East Cowes S.C. in Finn 36.
May I thank all the people that supported the event and the race team of David Evans and Kevin Reed.
Alan Williams event organiser.
Prizes were awarded to the top 3 boats overall which were all in the Old CVRDA category and also
First Classic Dinghy – Sam and Amber Barker in Albacore 1692
First Lost Class – Vanessa Weedon-Jones in Hit 4
And for entertaining those watching:
Capsize Kings – finishing all races on Saturday despite multiple capsizes – International Canoe – Ed Bremner and International Moth 3887 – Ian Marshall
Best Parking between Races – International Moth 3851 – Graham Cooper
Dramatic gear failure – Minisail – Gordon Finlay and Flying Fifteen – Simon Montgomery
Best boat just bought and never sailed before coming to the event – Albacore 1692 – Sam and Amber Barker
Furthest Travelled – Hit 4 – Vanessa Weedon-Jones and Nikky Evans