EARLY SWARM AT MALDON

More pics 

Six Hornets braved the elements at Maldon Yacht Club over the weekend of 9/10^th of April for the annual Easter Egg event, which is not held over Easter to avoid heavy traffic. It must have been the appalling weather prior to the event which persuaded many to stay away, with forecasts of gales and winter showers.

 

Race officer Jim Marshall set a course down river of about 2 nautical miles around the “cans” and placed a 2 lap option on the race. With gusts of force 6, two thirds of the fleet had a swim just before the start, which set the tone for the rest of the day. Local boys Dean Saxton and Rob Smith (2103) led the way from the start and looked fairly comfortable until a stumble on the run allowed National Champions Strangler and Julia Hoyle (2132) to take control. This lead they held until they reached what they thought was the finish line and headed for the club, only to notice that Tom Guy and Dan Simpson (2171) where continuing. Guy held the lead around the second lap to take line honours. With half the fleet retiring, it was decided to cancel the second race.

 

Sunday dawned with warmer conditions and lighter winds, so the race officer set the first race further down the river. Strangler led a tight fleet out to the furthest mark, but was completely un catchable on the return leg, winning by several minutes from Guy and Saxton. A shorter course consisting of 4 laps was set for the second race of the day as the wind strength began to drop. Saxton led from the off closely followed by Guy, with Simon White and Simon Evance (2127) showing some promising improvement on speed. Guy managed to overhaul Saxton halfway around the first lap, and with the race officer deciding to shorten after one lap due to decreasing wind strength and retreating tide, Guy took the honours and the event.

 

1^st        Tom Guy / Dan Simpson            Netley S.C.      

2^nd        Strangler / Julia Hoyle                Tollesbury S.C.

3^rd        Dean Saxton / Rob Smith           Maldon Y.C.

4^th        Simon White / Simon Evance     Maldon Y.C.

5^th        Sam Grasse / Mark Dickinson    Maldon Y.C.

6^th        Iain Marshall / Adrian Moss        Maldon Y.C.