ISO Open - Weston SC (31st July & 1st August 1999)
A small band of ISO sailors joined the Buzz/Spice Gala and Blaze Nationals at Weston Sailing Club on Southampton Water over the weekend 31st July/ 1st August.
This weekend proved to be the ideal pre worlds tune-up for three of the chief protagonists (apologies to all the others who think they are in with a chance of winning the Worlds later this month)
Some incredibly close racing was had between Mike Speller and Rob Burridge, Dave Giles crewed by the irrepressible (Darren Gough look alike) Pete Lindley and ISO stalwarts John Caig & Andy Watson.
After an hours postponement, three races were held, in a light and shifty non establishing sea breeze two of which were won by Dave Giles and the last by John Caig. The surprise was that National Champions Speller & Burridge trailed in all three races only scoring a second after Caig fouled Giles in the middle race. In these conditions they seemed to lack their normal boat speed this being confirmed by their exceptionally poor performance in the first race on Sunday when they only just secured third place.
Race five was certainly the best of the weekend. The order at the windward mark was Giles, Speller, Caig, with barely a boat length between them. At the leeward mark once again all three arrived overlapped. On the second lap Caig took a narrow lead whilst Giles dropped to third. On the final lap Caig, with a certain win in the bag, had a spinnaker problem just before the leeward mark and allowed Speller through to win. This result ensured a win for Giles & Lindley leaving Caig & Speller to fight it out for second place in the last race. In an increasing wind, Speller comfortably took this race to show that their speed had not entirely deserted them.
Weston Sailing Club ran the event in an extremely competent manner turning the races round in exceptionally quick time. The only shortcomings being in the "bar opening hours department" which I feel sure can be sorted before next year (after they have read this report) The ISO fleet like a glass or two of the amber nectar after a stressful day on the water.
