Freezer racing whets appetite
BY tradition, the sailing season at Hollingworth Lake starts with racing at the Sailing Club on the first Sunday in March.
However, for the past couple of years, the Club has invited visitors to come for an open event two weeks earlier.
The event is titled Freezer Open but conditions on Sunday could hardly have been less like the title. A pleasant sunny day gave excellent racing winds.
There were three different race winners. Visitor from Burwain, Innes Armstrong,
in a Solo, took the first one, ahead of Adam Mcgovern and his father, Tim, in a GP14. In third place came David Winder (Solo) ahead of a junior visitor Mia Hateley in a Topper.
Close racing continued in the second race which was again won by a visitor. This time it was a GP14 from South Staffs SC, helmed by young Jack Hodgkins, crewed by Andy Hateley.
Innes Armstrong was runner up this time, ahead of another junior in a Topper, Lara Eagleton from Budworth and the Mcgoverns in fourth place.
The wind was a bit stronger for the final race with gusts capsizing an unwary Solo sailor!
This time, the Mcgoverns took the lead beating Armstrong to win the event with Lara Eagleton sailing consistently to third place ahead of David Winder.
There will be a tidy up day on Saturday coming to ready the Club for the full opening of the season.
Last month, the Club welcomed the Mayor to the annual prizegiving evening for the 2023 season. A few seniors won several trophies but juniors spread the winnings around more widely with a balance of the sexes.