TWO competitions last weekend rounded off another busy winter season — the St George’s Day Trophy and the Woodford Long Distance Race — at Bembridge.
BEMBRIDGE SAILING CLUB — ST GEORGE’S DAY TROPHY
In the start of the first race for the St George’s Day Trophy on Saturday, last year’s winner, Owen Pay, sailed on the wrong side of the line, giving Ian Southworth the opportunity to win, which he took — leading throughout and never looking as if he would be caught, even when he had a problem with his spinnaker.
Pay paid for his mistake in the second race — winning it after he caught and passed Tim Lyle in what was a two-boat race.
After a good start to the third race, it was again Pay’s red spinnaker first to fly on the run — Lyle never far away.
The fourth and final races saw the breeze pick up and nearly catch out those closest to the line.
But it was Pay first again round the windward marks but, having decided to take the left side of the run, found himself rounding the leeward gate in third behind Southworth and Lyle.
With the breeze now coming and going, Southworth established a substantial lead to take his second win of the day, with Pay second, to retain the trophy on countback.
WOODFORD LONG DISTANCE RACE
The rain forecast on Sunday held off for the ten boats who competed in the final trophy of the winter season — the Woodford Long Distance Race.
From the middle of the harbour. the fleet set off on a broad reach to Old Church, finishing the first race at the Tide Gauge — Southworth leading the way ahead of Monty Irwin and Jamie Scrimgeour.
The second race was essentially back to the harbour, albeit via a laid mark to the east of St Helens Fort and Pepe.
It was only with the finish line in sight, it became obvious that unless he had a 'senior moment', Irwin was going to beat Southworth and take the trophy on a countback.
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