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Barnt Green Sailing Club - Lark - Sponsored by P & B

  Bob & Mandy Suggitt.  Bob is 2007 Class Captain  

Lark Class Report for Autumn/Winter 2007

 

Firstly, thanks to George Puttock for looking after the Lark class for the past few years.

 

2007 has been a quiet year for the Lark class at Barnt Green, and yet four Barnt Green Larks were at the National Championships at Looe in July, so there`s obviously some potential for next year.

 

The highlight of the year is of course, Steve Cumley`s win at the Championships and second overall on the national open meeting circuit. Unfortunately, Steve’s appearances at the club this year have been in a Laser.

 

23rd to 28th July saw the Lark Class hold its 2007 National Championships in Looe, Cornwall where four boats from the Club entered the event. After 5 days of racing with one day lost to bad weather and some close match racing between the 1st & 2nd positions on the last day of the competition,  Steve Cumley & Eluned Jones of Barnt Green Sailing Club won the title of 2007 Rooster Lark National Champions. Congratulations and well done !

Further information can be obtained from the Class Website: www.larkclass.org  Final day report here Roundup report here  Results here

 

Our club open meeting was held on the late May bank holiday, which allowed for weekend club sailing on the Monday.  Saturdays gentle breeze saw Stuart and Julia Allen from Banbury win the challenge trophy, while Dave Young from South Staffs squeezed out Bob Suggitt in the single handed race. Sunday was better. Bob and Mandy capsized spectacularly while spinnaker reaching in the second race, while Chris Whitehouse, who had travelled up from Suffolk broke his mast in the third race also spinnaker reaching. Richard Bennet, (Staunton Harold S.C.) crewed by Kelsey Suggitt, sailed impeccably to win the meeting.  Scroll down for a full report.....

 

 

Bob and Mandy won the summer series again, with John and Rosemary Preston winning the handicap trophy. However, the status quo could be under threat next year. Kelsey, crewed by new member Josh Stuart are currently sailing Glaslyn, and after putting in 10 races late in the summer series, have started the winter series with an impressive three wins out of the first four races. Bob and Mandy have tuned up one of the club boats which is proving to be surprisingly competitive.

 

The priority for next year has to be “More Larks on the Water”. To this end I am organising some boat handling, tuning and race training days on Saturday afternoons and Tuesday evenings next April/ May. Watch the noticeboard and website for further details.

  

We still have several club boats for sale (well done Nick Norman, our latest fleet member for buying one of these) two further boats are for sale at silly prices. Details here.  These were dug out of the brambles during the working party, and with some tlc will be worthwhile additions to the fleet. There is a catch, but a good one. If the new owner sails in ten races in the summer series, a substantial part of the purchase price will be refunded otherwise, ownership reverts back to the club. Can there be a better way to get on the water?

 

Finally, last winter saw some of the best sailing conditions of the year. Check the weather forecast and come and have a sail.

 

Bob Suggitt.

Report on the 2007 Lark Open Meeting at Barnt Green Sailing Club held on 26th /27th May

Fifteen Larks appeared over the bank holiday for the annual open at this
picturesque club. The practice race was held in some very light conditions,
and was won by home team Bob & Mandy Suggitt.
 
Race 1, pictured below, was held in slightly more breeze and a decent was course set.

Unfortunately the wind swung slightly to eliminate a beat. This didn’t stop the flying
Team Allen (Stuart & Julia) who, sporting a new North main took charge
of the proceedings. Despite being challenged by Smashie & Kelsey (2nd),
and Dave Young & Nic Booth (3rd) ran away comfortable winners.


 
The Single Handed race was up next and proved to be as humorous as ever.
Bob Suggitt showed his experience appearing at the front of the fleet along
with Dave Young and Chris Biglin expertly flying their kites on their
own. Dave proved to be multi-talented and stormed off to take the trophy
leaving Bob in 2nd and Chris 3rd .
 
On to Sunday and much more wind for race 2. A nice 3-4 gusting 5. The
fleet got off to a good clean start and it was Smashie & Kelsey leading
at the 1st mark from Bob & Mandy who challenged for the lead, but once the
leaders had the spinny up they powered off and continued to pull away throughout
the whole race building a healthy lead. Behind the front pair was very exciting
racing with place changes all the time. Chris & Ann Biglin snatched 2nd
with Chris Whitehouse & Chris White climbing to 3rd.
 
After lunch Race 3 was away with the same course. Smashie & Kelsey again
showed some coolness to appear at the front again, this time battling hard
with Dave & Nic. The leaders eventually pulling clear, to grab a convincing
regatta sealing victory! Dave & Nic took a solid 2nd place with Chris &
Chris showing consistency ending in 3rd place.
 
Race 4 saw arguably the most action of the weekend! Smashie & Kelsey didn’t
compete so the race for the lead was exciting with place changing all
the way through the race. Chris & Ann found themselves in a good lead only
to be blown in on a broad spinnaker reach! Then Chris & Chris took control
before they too decided to go swimming! Eventually Stu Hydon & Hannah Showell
sailed a smooth race to take the bullet (securing 3rd overall) just ahead
of the chasing Steve Chatten & Nicola Attwood. Dave & Nic took 3rd to seal
2nd overall. Commiserations to Chris Whitehouse who snapped a brand new
mast in this race as the gust strength increased. 
Top 5 positions.  
1st 2487 Richard Bennett & Kelsey Suggitt (Staunton Harold) 4pts
2nd 2507 David Young & Nic Booth (South Staffs) 8pts
3rd 2503 Stuart Hydon & Hannah Showell (Shustoke) 9pts
4th 2495 Chris Biglin & Ann Biglin (Shustoke) 11pts
5th 2411 Chris Whitehouse & Chris White (Ranelagh) 15pts

BGSC is grateful to the visitors for attending and to the Race Officers / Rescue Crews /   Galley and Bar helpers for running the two days.    Bob Suggitt.   Class Captain.

Full results

Position # / Helm Crew Club Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Race 4 Points
1 2487 Richard Bennett Kelsey Suggitt Staunton Harold 2 1 1 (DNS.16) 4
2 2507 Dave Young Nic Booth South Staffs 3 -5 2 3 8
3 2503 Stuart Hyden Hannah Showell Shustoke (DNS.16) 4 4 1 9
4 2495 Chris Biglin Ann Biglin Shustoke 5 2 -6 4 11
5 2411 Chris Whitehouse Chris White Ranelagh (DNS.16) 3 3 9 15
6 2330 Steve Chatten Nichola Attwood Frensham Pond (DNF.10) 6 8 2 16
7 2301 Stuart Allen Julia Allen Banbury 1 10 (DNF.11) 6 17
8 2472 Nigel Scott Jane Alexander RYA (DNS.16) 12 5 5 22
9 2468 Tony Hotchkiss Katie Pyle South Staffs 8 7 7 16 22
10 2467 Bob Suggitt Mandy Suggitt Barnt Green 4 8 (DNF.11) (DNS.16) 23
11 2489 Martin Evans Lucy Evans South Staffs 7 9 10 (DNS.16) 26
12 2263 Stuart Norris Louise Norris Shropshire 6 11 DNF.11 (DNS.16) 28
13 2232 Mike Owen Karren Jewks South Staffs (DNS.16) DNF.13 9 9 41
14 2463 George Puttock Tom Bewley Barnt Green 9 (DNS.16) DNS.16 DNS.16 41
48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48

More photo's will be uploaded into a gallery soon, keep checking...            Lark 2006 archive here

 

 

Photos taken at the 2005 Open Meeting

 

Visit the website of the Lark Class  (New page)

 

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Bob Suggitt is also the BGSC agent for Euphony, you get cheaper calls, the club earns commission

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