T15 PUGNEYS’ FIRST EVENT
On Sunday 14th May, the T15 North Zone had their first event of the 2006 season. It was hosted by Covenham at their sailing club at Covenham Reservoir. The day was just right for windsurfing with good wind and no rain!!! (which held off from the night before). This was Pugneys’ first ever event and we were blessed with a full team of 15. To that we would like to say thank you to all the parents that transported us there (and those that camped out the previous 2 nights in the wet and the cold so that we could have a pre-event get together also called a bit of team building come socialising come have lots of fun on the camp site!).
Anyway the day kicked off at 11am with teams from Covenham (a full team), Coquet (a lone sailor), North Lincs, Halifax (another lone sailor), us (Pugneys) and Surfstore (another lobe sailor). The 3.5m & 4.5m sailing down one end of the reservoir and the 5.5m & 6.8m sailing down the other. The 3.5m had a course that consisting of sailing round a marker (with Christmas tree but minus presents on board). In this fleet we had some of our new sailors: Nicola, Luke, Tom, Joel plus Kathryn, Emma and Kai who are old hands. These sailors gave it there all even when things got tough and wind changed and board collided they kept going. Joel at one point jumping into rescue another sailor, Nicola who let a fellow team mate Emma get her sail up and go passed when they got knocked by another competitor and Luke who had an emergency trip to the hospital with a sprained arm (yet returned back to cheer on his fellow team mates). They all kept smiling and even after 6 races wanted to carry on for a 7th. With Nicola picking up the coaches award for always smiling the day ended well for the 3.5 fleet.
In the 4.5m fleet we had Ellis, Mark, Ryan as new competitors and Joe and Matthew who have been sailing for a few numbers of years. Completing a figure of 8 course this was a new for Joe and Matthew, who moved up a fleet size. The two of them, kept the fleet going with a steady pace, by staying at the front, with the other 3 following close behind. Yet again through team-manship Ellis who saw a fellow team mate struggling after being hit in the back of the neck by a rig, gave up his place and stayed with his team mate until the safety boat arrived. This fleet finished with Joe gaining a 3rd and Mark with a 1st in the 4.5m Techno.
In the 5.5m fleet, were all old hands Nick, Chloe & Abbi. This was their first season in the larger fleet and despite steady winds they did very well. Nick picked up a 1st in the 5.5m Techno. All members sailed well even though they were racing at the same time as the large 6.8m fleet which was somewhat intimidating with all large sails flying passed, but help keeping us going. In the 6.8m fleet, Josh our lone sailor who picked up a 3rd. Well done.
We would like to say thank you to Covenham who yet again put on a good show and came first (once more) in the team places and nearly swiped the board with the individual places. To David and John for refereeing the event. To all the team who took part. To the coaches for helping all winter and the parents who without this it would not be possible. And to our sponsors Tushingham and Starboard for their support. Looking forward to the next event at Coquet on 11th June.
