Cock of North Series

The next event is… ULLEY, 8th June!

Come along and join us!

First Race approx. 10:30-11am

Entry fee approx. £10

14th April                         Toddbrook SC

8th June                           Ulley SC

30th June                        Ogston SC

6th July                           Notts County SC

20-21st July                   Tynemouth SC

10-11th August             Bassenthwaite SC

15th September           Yorkshire Ouse SC

21-22nd September      Killington SC

5th October                  Ripon SC Richard Sadler Memorial

13th October               Huddersfield SC

Toddbrook SC Report

The first joint event of the Cock of North and Top Helm series took place this weekend at Toddbrook SC. Despite the grim 45+ knots gusts forecast, 10 boats still turned up.

 

The first race was postponed for an hour shortly after Matt Velamail & Tim Brownell (Ulley) and James Morley & Rachel Burkitt (Ulley) ventured out to play guinea pigs in the raging gusts becoming forced to concede to the wind and take a break.

 

The gusts slightly reduced and the race committee set a course and sent the fleet out. The majority of the fleet braved it on the startline with several capsizes. Jonny Woodward & Alex Halliwell (South Staffs) set the early pace with Royston Taggart & Lisa Woods (Pilkington) closely following, with Matt & Tim trying to catch up after missing the start due to gear failure. With the gusts still coming in strong Jonny and Alex were unfortunate to be hit by a big one and capsized upwind, allowing Matt & Tim and Royston & Lisa to come through. The boys extended from here to take the first bullet of the day with a close fight behind giving Jonny & Alex the nudge in front of Royston & Lisa. Alison Payne & Kevin Law (Toddbrook) were the only other finishers in 4th.

 

After a warm lunch and break the 2nd and 3rd races were now planned back to back after the earlier delay. With the wind constantly dropping now to a force 4, the whole fleet rigged up including John Berry & Dave Jones (Etherow) in their new raffle winning Rondar MK3 ent. The fleet started with  everyone instantly tacking onto port to the first mark. Jonny & Alex held the advantage to the first mark after Tim Brownell fell out of his boat on the tack, rounding in 2nd with Royston & Lisa and James & Rachel closely behind. Jonny led the way round the first lap committing to keeping his boat as flat as a pancake in the flukey, gusty conditions and received a good dunking for his efforts with the boat coming over on top in a lull. This allowed Matt & Tim, James & Rachel, Royston & Lisa to sail through, finishing in this order. Further back in the pack and ongoing battle between our commodore Dave Staniforth & Becky Thickett (Ulley), Chris Gray & Lewis (Toddbrook) and Alison & Kevin ensued, keeping everything interesting. Chris and Lewis now performed the capsize of the day, diving their ent underwater!

 

With Jonny & Alex fed up after their bad luck and Matt & Tim wrapping up the event, the last race was fought out at the front between James & Rachel and Royston & Lisa in calmer and sunnier conditions. James & Rach had the early lead for the majority of the race before taking a dip and allowing Royston & Lisa to take the bullet with Alison & Kev taking 2nd and John & Dave rounding out the top 3.

 

After a great days racing in improving conditions winning crew Tim Brownell thanked the race committee, galley and competitors, looking forward to seeing everybody next weekend at Winsford Flash for more of the same!