The Lark Open 2003

A gloriously sunny but still day greeted the 26 strong Lark fleet for the South Staff open on the 30th March.

After some concern about the conditions and whether watching the rugby would be the better option, the wind kindly picked up to a respectable force 2 to 3 for race one of the 3 race day.

Race 1: A clean start saw Simon Cox crewed by Becky Priest tack off the centre of the line and charge for mark one with a good gap once rounded.

Cox and Priest remained un-challenged for the rest of the race. A good battle ensued for the next 4 places with John Billington and Sue Mellor, David and Nick Marlow, Chris and Rachel Jenkins, Richard Dowsett and Jane Alexander, all changing places throughout the next few laps. On the last lap all was to play for. Jenkins and Jenkins were unlucky with a bad shift and were passed by Dowsett. Billington and Mellor want up the right hand side and got ahead of the pack to finish second. Marlow and Marlow fought hard to hold on to third and had to tack in the face of Dowsett and Alexander on the line to keep it - a shrewd move from David Marlow who is only fifteen years old and crewed by his dad. One to be watched over the coming season! Jenkins and Jenkins held on to a comfortable fourth.

Race 2: A slightly increased wind saw some feisty starting from the fleet with 2 general recalls before the race got under way. The start that did get away saw some tussling between Martin Gillam and Matt Griffiths and Cox and Priest. This ended in a protest that Gillham sadly lost. After a shifty first beat, Dowsett and Alexander rounded first closely pursued by Gillham and Griffiths. The two lead boats were fairly clear ahead and battled for first place relatively un-challenged with Gillham taking the lead on lap 3 and holding on to it till the finish. Good challenges for third came from Rondar's Richard Lymposs/Matt Thomas and Steve Cumley/Rachel Jones.

Race 3: A clean start saw four boats round mark one clear of the fleet with Dowsett/Alexander in fourth. Three of the boats went low, Dowsett gybed off and took the honours at mark two looking good for a win with Gillham some way back in the pack. Dougal Scott crewed by Ruth Johnson pulled through into first and opened a gap. Gillham played some skilful catch up and broke through the fleet into third with a good gap, leaving Dowsett with no choice but to catch Scott and Johnson. Dowsett and Alexander made a good challenge giving Scott and Johnson a run for their money but not managing to pass them.

Final Results:

1st Richard Dowsett / Jane Alexander 3 pts

2nd Simon Cox / Becky Priest 4 pts

3rd David and Nick Marlow 8 pts

4th Steve Cumley / Rachel Jones 9 pts

5th John Billington / Sue Mellor 9 pts