On Saturday 17 July 2021, we welcomed 12 Comet Duos to the latest Cransley Worlds.  With one visitor (Nigel Ford from Solihull (93)), and five international club members from Wales, it had the feeling of a universal event.  

The wind was light – Force 0-2, with the occasional sudden summer gust catching 2 folk out (Jane and Ian).  The racing was very well organised and led to an enthralling first race, with young Tom Chapman and Georgie Hind (121) chasing and very nearly catching Nigel Austin and Polly Guyett (103).  Our visitor came in 3^rd, very happy chappy.   The remaining competitors were not that far behind but to be fair had paired up with crews to get as many out on the water as possible to enjoy this prestigious event, and certainly the trim of some could have been better!

After a lunch that slowed the fleet even more (but wouldn’t have been missed, thanks Claire/Niamh), the 2^nd race was more of the same with the leading exchanging hands a few times between 103 and 121, with Tom and Georgie just unable to hold on to the lead on the final leg.  Rhiain Bevan (4) was pursuing hard for a 3^rd and thus for the final race an intriguing prospect was set up for 2^nd and 3^rd place.  

The heat of the day, over 26 degrees on the water led some to go for impromptu swims off the back of the Duos, however there was certainly no cooling particularly on the last five minutes of race 3 where the lead changed hand 3 times between different boats and it looked as if Nigel in 93, would take the honours.  However the wind disappeared 50m from the line for him and Nigel and Polly managed to harness their own zephyr to achieve a clean sweep.

This event was designed to bring together as many of the 180 odd Comet Duos (ever built by Andy Simmons) in a fun and entertaining event and it achieved that again – although we would love to get more visitors, our water is perfect for them, so please if you have one get in touch for next year!  It was also the aim to give our youngsters and less confident adults a chance to race in an event that whilst competitive was also friendly and with lots of banter.  This year young Polly (8 years old) is able to go into school with the trophy on “Show and Tell” and tell her classmates of the day she won the “Worlds”! – creating memories like this is what sailing is all about in my mind!.  

Well done all 

Nigel 

Comet 103

Cransley Sailing Club

Entries are open for the Trio Nationals at Exe Sailing Club later this month.  3 days of racing in Lyme Bay with a social programme to match.  We are of course expecting the sun to shine and a nice breeze to blow!  The plan is for 2 races Friday, 3 on Saturday and 2 on Sunday, with a BBQ on Friday evening and the Trio Dinner on Saturday evening.   This year we are using outside caterers to deliver these meals and it would help us to know the numbers of people attending so please submit your entries to Caroline McAusland and if there will be others in your party who would like to come to the socials please her know.  The racing will be in separate fleets for the Mk1s and Mk2s. All the information is on the Exe SC website on the Open Events tab.  Here you will find the Notice of Race and the Sailing Instructions.  The entry form is part of the NoR.  There is also information on; accommodation, including local campsites and details of the car parks in Exmouth that allow overnight motorhome parking, tidal flows in Lyme Bay, and things to do in Exmouth when you’re not sailing. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible to celebrate the end of the lockdown restrictions (assuming all goes to plan!) Bob HorlockSec CCCA