ISO Nationals - Salcombe YC (25th - 28th August 2000)
The Island Cruising Club at Salcombe hosted the Xtremity Sponsored 2000 ISO Nationals over the 25th-28th August.
Racing took place out of the Estuary in the bay where the fleet were greeted with steady southwesterly winds on the first day for the first two of ten scheduled races. The class were fortunate to have Race officer Ken Falcon for the duration of the Nationals. The main contenders hopes were raised by the sight of defending National Champion helm Mike Speller limping around on crutches due to leg ligament damage, though he fully intended to race. Race 1 was sailed in a nice force 2 - 3 and once the fleet had worked out the swirling tide over the race course, Mike Speller and Rob Burridge led for the first 2 laps of the windward-leeward course, out of the chasing pack came Gary Smith and Lynn Whitmore who sailing very fast downwind shot passed Mike and Rob to take first place, Andrew Gould and Vicky Lewis took third place. Much the same conditions for race 2 saw Alistair Clarke and Pete Lindley sailing Team RWO lead from start to finish to take a comfortable win, Mike and Rob again second with John Caig and Andy Watson in third.
Day two and three races round the windward Leeward. Race 3 and again Team RWO, Alistair and Pete won from Mike and Rob second, in third and back on the pace after a slow start was Mick Whitmore and Sarah Smith. Race 4 and the defending champions Mike and Rob showed the fleet round winning from Team RWO with Mick and Sarah taking another third place. Race 5 started in much the same conditions, though after a couple of laps the wind was up to a force 4 and freshening rapidly in a rain squall, surprisingly the light weight pairing of Andrew Gould and Vicky Lewis never looked like being caught, sailing a fantastic race to beat Mike and Rob and Team RWO respectively, Kevin Moore and Pete Hamilton going well in the strong winds to take 4th place.
The I.C.C. put on a great social in the evening with the 120 competitors filling the bar to enjoy a great Barbeque and social. Day three and still all to play for at the top, nice force two to three, steady direction and most of us had sort of worked out the tide by now. Mike Speller and Rob Burridge though new something the rest didn't and blew the fleet away with three straight wins. This leaving the rest to fight for the minor places. Team Rwo, Alistair and Pete had their worst day scoring a 5th, 8th, and 2nd and leaving overall victory out of reach. Andrew and Vicky were the most consistent with three 3rd places.
The last day dawned with no wind at all, and Race officer Ken Falcon postponed until 1500 hrs at the latest to give the wind a chance, and with the a possibility of either one of five teams capable of taking second place overall, no one was keen to pack up early. With Mike and Rob already champions and now resting his leg, finally racing got underway at 1500 hrs with only the possibility of one race instead of the scheduled two. Frantic calculations before the start and most new who they had to beat to go up or stay put. John Caig and Andy Watson led round the windward mark with Karen and Ian Falcon sailing a brilliant first beat rounding closely behind the ageing John Caig - but slipped down the placings due to a tuning tip given by JC to pull the kite right up to the top block whilst trying to run deep in light airs. The two "Team Eastbourne" boats were close behind battling to finish the regatta on a high. John and Andy stretched their lead to win comfortably, with Mick and Sarah beating Gary and Lynn by half a boat length, these two being on front of Andrew and Vicky meant a great deal to Team RWO in fifth place.
So a great Championship at Salcombe. Mike Speller and Rob Burridge defending their title, in the end quite comfortably. Though for all the other places it was the tightest racing yet. Thanks to all at the Island Cruising Club, the Race Officer Ken Falcon, and Xtremity for sponsoring the event.
