Martin Dale Cup 2014 - RG65/Micro540 Competition
October 18th
report by Peter Shepherd
Back at Daventry Country Park with the water level well down we decided to sail further around and more out into the reservoir.
Whilst this provided for stronger winds they were just a fickle as always shifting back and forth on the upwind leg.
The course was intend to be a reaching start to a port rounding, through a leeward gate to an upwind mark port rounding, back to the gate then the upwind mark to port this time to a wing mark, back to the gate. Finally to the upwind mark again this time to starboard with the start line being the finish as well.
Reading the shifting wind conditions was crucial with the mark you chose through the gate being critical despite the long distance to be covered to the upwind mark, this was mainly caused by the wind splitting around the headland from which we were sailing.
Whilst this provided for stronger winds they were just a fickle as always shifting back and forth on the upwind leg.
The course was intend to be a reaching start to a port rounding, through a leeward gate to an upwind mark port rounding, back to the gate then the upwind mark to port this time to a wing mark, back to the gate. Finally to the upwind mark again this time to starboard with the start line being the finish as well.
Reading the shifting wind conditions was crucial with the mark you chose through the gate being critical despite the long distance to be covered to the upwind mark, this was mainly caused by the wind splitting around the headland from which we were sailing.
Peter Shepherd (165 Abracadabra M540) started well and took an early lead, with the skipper who was to become his closest rival Mike Ewart (36 Dragon Force RG65) having a poor start mainly due to some electrical issues which meant he was on the back foot after the first few races. Mike gradually came to the fore and put together an impressive set of race wins deservedly finishing this months event as winner even if he had to rely upon the countback and his early poor results. Third and fourth places were equally hotly contested with Peter Jackson (305 Wizard M540) and Paul Risdale (515 Goth 54 M540) battling it out PJ sticking with his swing rig throughout and Paul at times trying the smaller rigs in his bag.
Geoff Raygada (375 Abracadabra M540) took a couple of good places and was always within touching distance of the others just unable to be quite consistent enough to finish higher.
Once again Tim Lees (93 Puma RG65) supported this time with new sails, however he was experiencing some difficulty with his Gooseneck on the new rig which when it is sorted will hopefully mean he is able to sail with more reliabilty.
Geoff Raygada (375 Abracadabra M540) took a couple of good places and was always within touching distance of the others just unable to be quite consistent enough to finish higher.
Once again Tim Lees (93 Puma RG65) supported this time with new sails, however he was experiencing some difficulty with his Gooseneck on the new rig which when it is sorted will hopefully mean he is able to sail with more reliabilty.
Thanks to all the participants for a fun days sailing, in this the final Martin Dale Cup event for 2014. Paul Risdale retained the Martin Dale Cup for the third year running, being the class winner for the Micro 540 and Mike Ewart won the trophy for the RG65 class.
Paul Risdale
2014 Micro 540 Champion
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Mike Ewart 2014 RG65 Champion
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The points for the Martin Dale Cup are worked out in the following manner, 40 points for a win, 39 for second, 38 for 3rd and so on, plus for RG65 Class yachts a bonus point for every RG65 you finish ahead of, for Micro 540 class yachts there is a bonus point for every yacht you finish ahead of regardless of class.