Despite several postponements due to Covid and a cancellation thanks to excessive weed we still managed to complete a series consisting of three opens with a total of 26 boats involved. Was it just me or were both the sailing and socialising even more enjoyable after all the uncertainties that we’ve lived through?
We kicked off at the beginning of September at South Cerney SC with five visiting boats against five locals. The visitors came out tops, John Hanson and Helen Seldon winning most races and overall, in their classic 2260 with Bob Tait and Peter Comber 4051 taking second place and top open fleet boat. Local John Harvey with crews of two inexperienced cadets took the silver trophy in 3268.
Aldeburgh open, rescheduled to mid-September, saw a total of 17 boats competing with the visitors again victorious, 4004 Charles and Richard Apthorp winning, 3889 Pip and Alice Hudson second and 2260 John Hanson and Helen Seldon best classic and 7th overall.
The final meeting of the STS was held at Broxbourne SC in mid-October. Only two visitors attended but with a great turnout of thirteen Broxbourne boats there was keen competition. This time the locals were more successful with Pip Hudson and Mason King in 3889 winning overall, Brian Turner and Jackie Burns second in 3707. The first silver boat was 3268 John Harvey and Tim Greaves from South Cerney, first classic going to Steve Carmichael and Wally Santer in 2845.
The race reports and full results of each meeting can be found on the individual club websites or UKFFA site.
Following the Broxbourne presentations, the Southern Travellers Series trophies were then awarded. Pip in 3889 with his two crews, Alice and Mason took the open fleet trophy and overall winning trophy. John Harvey in 3268 with Tim, Monty and Phil took the Silver fleet trophy. John Hanson and Helen were first classic boat with 4th place overall.
Report by Jackie Burns