The good news for the weekend was the beautiful weather conditions which were Flying 15 heaven. The bad news was that not only did we have no visitors but three of our own fleet were out of action, thanks to skiing holidays, miscellaneous injuries, and two family reunions for Mothers’ day. All competitors were Covid free but looking at the record number of reported cases in the Tunbridge Wells area it is probable these played a part among the no-shows.

Although we have no clubhouse and only had seven competitors we treated the event in exactly the same way as we would have done with a full blown entry list but it did mean there was a large degree of over-catering in the sandwich and cake department.

On the Saturday we had a north easterly blowing between 10 and 20 knots, mostly at the upper end of the range with a real bonus of bright sunshine. The first race had a decent beat and then a trip around the buoys. A shift to the North  meant the excursion was not needed and as result the course for race 2 to 6 was straight up and down with a somewhat elongated spreader.

  A good time was had by all and there were still big grins in evidence when we gathered at the “Chequers” for dinner.

Colin Nutt and Chris Hough(3898) stamped their mark on the meeting by winning the first two races and coming a close second to Andy and Agnes Clark (3954) in the third.

On Sunday it was decided to extend the programme to a further three races instead of two as per NOR. The wind strength had dropped a couple of knots and the sky a bit murky but we still enjoyed a fast ride and a lot of fun.

Results followed the same pattern as the previous day with the Nutt/ Hough team taking the first two races but on this occasion Mike and Jamie Blacklee (3842) snatched second place in the final race and in so doing they also secured second overall for the event.

Shame about the turn out but there is a definite improvement in regular numbers at Bewl despite the fact we have sadly lost some of our more elderly owners. As for Southern Travellers; look out, there could be some Bewl boats about this summer.    

RESULTS: