ISO Gala - Eastbourne Sovereign SC (15th & 16th June 2002)
We received another great welcome from the Eastbourne Sovereign Sailing Club for the 3rd round of the Topper Multi Gala Series over the weekend of 15th/16th June. A fleet of 11 ISO's, Buzz and BOSS enjoyed the perfect sailing conditions of a south-westerly force 4 and just a fine chop, with enough cloud so we didn't get fried and enough sun to make it close enough to the Med. Ace!
Race officer, Gary Smith and his team got the event off to a very punctual start at 12.30 - other sporting events were not taking precedence that afternoon!
Race 1 saw Team RWO - 1013 - Pete Lindley / Jonny Backhouse take command of the race very early on and were not challenged by the chasing duo of Mike & Dean Lillywhite - 815 - Ride the Punani and Ian and Katie Keam-George - 1188 - Enigma Vehicle Systems who finished in these respective positions. Race 2 was similar with no change in positions from 1 to 5. The last race of the day saw the fleet enthusiasm still strong, bringing the only general recall of the weekend, allowing the Lillywhites through to their first first at an open meeting. Well done guys!
That evening curry - a veggi, Chicken or a luxuriously hot Lamb Madras - combined with a video replay of the football all washed down with beer and revelling into the early hours (03:00 Team RWO). Great weather, curry, a few beers and a win in the football - what more could one ask?
Sunday morning was tipping it down first thing, giving the "good" crews a drenching. It rapidly gave way to a few peeks at the sun and continuing force 4 for a 10.30 start for race 4.
An early break towards the shore saw the scratch team of Mike Perry / Bob Ladell - 1192 (first sail together / first race ISO crewing) challenging for the lead at the windward mark. The leading trio tested that resolve in an exciting tussle near the mark and broke through with Lindley/Backhouse taking the gun and the Lillywhites pushed down to third. Race 5 saw Keam-George go through for his first win of the weekend in a weakening breeze, bringing Teams Lillywhite and Perry/Ladell up to 2nd and 3rd. Team RWO were forced to retire from this race near the first mark due to major rudder failure, after hasty repairs, they returned for race 6 to clinch the meeting with a fourth win frustrating Keam-George from saving the point, which would have given them second over Lillywhite.
Competition was strong for the positions further down the fleet, showing the increasing confidence of teams Avalanche and Scouse in particular, with everyone else having a good crack at it, keeping the attention and excitement intense through all 6 races. Great to see all you folks travelling the distance - Cornwall, Liverpool & Doncaster at least.
Next opportunity to do battle is at the Nationals at Highcliffe SC (nr ChristChurch) at the end of July, with several more events before it's time to get the dry suits and thermals out again. Keep on chatting through www.isoracing.org.uk
A closing thanks go to ESSC for laying on an excellent competition supported by their shore, galley and bar crews. Thanks all. Hope to see you again next year.
Full Results Here....
