Team 15 Interclub Event
Ardleigh Sailing Club
15th September 2001
What a kick off to the first ever Team 15 event! 30 competitors from Ardleigh
Outdoor Education Centre, Whitecap-Willen, Wentworth and Out of Town Action
Sports met in a cold, gusty force four. Competitors rigged up or borrowed kit
from the Whiteboarders demo van. Most chose to enter the 4.5m class in light
of the windy weather.
A reaching course was set for the first race but many failed to round the
ends properly, leaving the race box and competitors confused as to how many
laps they had done. From the outset Wentworth started their domination of the
4.5m class, held only in check by Alex Oldacre of Ardleigh. Sailors found their
feet in the second race with a longer reach. Nick Blomfield (Ardleigh) and Gareth
Morgan (Whitecap) affirmed their command of the 5.5m and 6.5m classes respectively.
A hot lunch was provided by the Commodore of Ardleigh Sailing Club and his
team. The warm comfort of the lounge provided welcome relief from the 25 knot
gusts. It also gave some the opportunity to change down sails. The third race
was set as a close reaching triangle and gave some a challenging upwind leg.
This provided excellent close racing with lots of place changing especially
on the gusty gybe mark.
The 6.5 metre class saw a fine battle for second between Dan Tridini (Ardleigh)
and Phil Durinett (Ardleigh). The last race was a challenge to individual stamina
after a long, tiring day. The formula of sending the 6.5m’s on a longer reach
saw Dan Tridini (Ardleigh) finding his form just a bit too late after a problematic
start to the day. Gareth Morgan (Whitecap) by this time had it in the bag with
unbroken firsts – a tribute to powerful controlled sailing. The only change
to the 5.5m class was with Jacob Lewis (Whitecap) taking advantage of a tiring
Isabel Monk (Ardleigh) to gain a third. Nick Blomfield’s (Ardleigh) firsts were
a tribute to calm, thoughtful sailing – not his usual style! – showing everyone
what can be done with an loaned F2 Phoenix!
The top of the 4.5m class was a Wentworth white-wash only stopped by Alex Oldacre
(Ardleigh) who also held a clutch of first places. Laurie Carnan (Wentworth),
who was regularly challenging him, will be a force to be reckoned with next
year. Out of Town Actions Sports showed excellent results, from two very promising
sailors who have only just come into the sport. Tamsin, the Wentworths coach,
was ecstatic about Aynslie Carnan’s eighth place in the last race. Aynslie had
never before attempted to sail a triangle and had only started windsurfing a
few of weeks ago. This, combined with her other high placings, was a must for
the ‘Most Improved’ prize. Elizabeth Beauchamp walked off with the ‘First Ladies’
prize with her solid performance in the 5.5m class which gave her a consistent
second place. An all-round team effort and ex-youth squad’s Toby Monks lunch-time
tactics talk paid off for Ardleigh’s campaign for the ‘First Club’ prize. Whitecap
were runners up by a very small lead on Wentworth.
A big thank you to:
The East Zone sponsors – Whiteboarders and Ski Surf who donated their time and
the prizes. The F2 van provided much sought after equipment!!!!
Ardleigh Sailing Club
for their hospitality – nice burgers! The coaches, who gave up their time and
effort to produce fantastic sailors. And finally a special thank you to the
parents and spectators who helped out, not just in the organisation, but in
providing a chorus of support for their teams from the shore.
