50th Anniversary Snipe Open at Blue Circle Sailing Club

Twelve Snipes joined the 50th anniversary of the Blue Circle Snipe Open.

On the first day, the wind was perfect with a medium 10-15 knots breeze, blowing right along the main axis of the lake which allowed a standard windward leeward “sausage” race to take place with a long upwind leg and downwind leg.

For the first race of the day, Andy Gibson and Ian Knight take the lead from the beginning and keep their lead till the end. However, behind, a group of 5-6 Snipes sail extremely closely, with positions changing along the legs. At the finishing line, after 1h of racing, the distances between some Snipes is less than a few centimeters. More competitive than the America's Cup!

The leadership for the second race was fiercely contested. The four leaders, Peter Wolstenhome, Iain Marshall and Andy Gibson and Maxim Romain take consecutive turns at the lead, sailing in very close formation. This generated some light collisions near marks, but in fair spirit all 720s were promptly executed. In the end, Peter Wolstenhome, sailing with his son Matthew, grabbed the win, followed closely by myself and Iain Marshall (about 50cm behind me). Like the English Rugby Team when they beat the French, I could not resist the pleasure of saying "Well Done!" in my 'most' friendly manner to Iain. It is true however that my big smile was not at all English! One day I will learn this very English placid attitude!

The third race: is run with still a great 12-15 knots breeze, which sees the victory of Peter Wolstenhome once again, followed by Alan Williams and myself.

Everybody is quite happy and exhausted after these 3 long and competitive races. Luckily it is now time to get (finally) some drinks (although I fear some may have started inbetween racing). A "fish & chips" van specially organized by the Blue Circle Club is waiting for us; everybody enjoys greasy and homely fish & chips with bitter beer (and some wine although nobody understood why Iain Marshall bought it). To add to the party, a very talented folk guitar player arrived and started to sing songs. He tried hard to get Sue to dance (as she is celebrating her 29th birthday); Sue was not convinced and preferred to remain within the warmth of Steven and her drinking colleagues. As the party ended, everybody retreated back to their tents (and lorries)... under the heavy rain that had started to pour! As French like to repeat during their English classes, "it was indeed raining cats and dogs". Nevertheless, after this full day of sailing and the few drinks, nobody had difficulties sleeping. So well in fact, that in the morning some fellow sailors awoke to find themselves floating in a small pond. For Sam (the daughter of Sue), a big pile of mud had even slipped from the road onto her tent, together with the boat that was sitting on said pile of mud!. Well, as Lloyd would say "Fish&Chips and rain, that is what makes England great!"

On Sunday morning, the wind is very low and unstable. After a postponement, it was decided however that we should go out sailing. After reaching the committee boat, all the Snipes start to wait because the wind was TOO low and unstable to contemplate a start. To compensate for the wait, the rain started to pour again, monsoon style! heavy and thick, for about 30 minutes! Everybody tried to move around their boat to keep warm. My crew Lloyd, as a great English Man, is in great spirit and proposed to possibly go swimming in the lake as the water there is warmer than the rain! Cécile, a bit more French, is contemplating at the same time this whole concept of “seriously sailing” (sitting) and having “serious fun” (in the rain). But, ultimately, Ian’s own charm naturally prevails in the eyes of his charmed crew!

Finally, God wakes up and the wind starts to blow again, perfectly along the lake axis, and with a great medium breeze of 10-15 knots.

The first race is very enjoyable and is won, once again, by Peter Wolstenhome followed by Alan Williams and Ian Gregory. The second race is then supposed to start back to back but the Snipes decide to come back to the Sailing club for a tea as they feel quite cold after the heavy rain. The race committee also quickly agrees that it is indeed a clever move and proposes that we also have lunch - decision approved by everyone! During the break, I ask Peter about the secret of his three consecutive victories. Peter says he probably has the advantage of being lighter, sailing with Matthew. I suspect there is something else, but unfortunately can’t pinpoint what it is. Re-thinking about it, that is why I am probably lagging behind him in the rankings!

The first start of the second race is cancelled after some mysterious miscommunication between the safety boat and the committee boat. Although there should have been just an individual recall the safety boat went on tour and signalled a general recall (theory goes that there was not only milk in the tea served to our respected race officers; but I have received the firmest denials from the organizers). This decision is however real luck for me, not only was it I that had crossed the line before the start, but also I had a problem with the jib that had obliged me to take down the sail. Less happy was Ian Marshall, who had taken a firm lead when race was cancelled. A second start is promptly under way and this time Alan Williams took the lead, finishing first, followed by Peter Wolstenhome and Ian Marshall.

The final race is once again won by Peter Wolstenhome, followed by Alan Williams and Ian Gregory.

In the end, Peter won the competition brilliantly. Brian Gregory commented that it was a great tribute to Peter's father (who welcomed him some 50 years ago) that his son, Peter, and his grand-son, Matthew, had won the 50th Blue Circle Snipe Open Meeting. Alan Williams finished second and I finished third.

All in all, a really great race at Blue Circle with perfect wind conditions, perfect English rain and great fun in the evening. A big thanks to Ian Rumble, Mike Kerr, Graham Campbell, and all the organizers of the race!

PS: apologies for my French-English!

Overall Results: