Scorpion Open 2013
A mirror like lake greeted the 13 boats (7 travelers from Pennine and Dovestone and 6 home boats) as they arrived for the 2013 Scorpion Open @ Shotwick Lake.
However, as the morning warmed up the Sea Breeze kicked in and Race 1 started in a building F2-3.
After the first lap the home boat of Carl Jones & Shellie Jones led closely followed by Andy McKee (who sailed to 3rd place in the Flying Fifteen Worlds last year with our own Richard Jones) & Tarren Jones (Dovestone) and Steve Walker & Jerry Hannabuss (Pennine). After the following hotly contested laps and multiple position changes Andy & Tarren came out on top from Steve & Jerry, with Pete Crowther & Dave Thompson (Pennine) slipping past Carl & Shellie to take Third.
Among the home club boats in the battle for the Luff Trophy, Chris Walker & Paul Newman took 6th just in front of Richard Jones & John Purdie in 7th. Carol Becker & Richard Newcomb in their first Scorpion Open Meeting took a well deserved 11th place beating Adrian Hall & new crew Neil Holmes into 12th with Colin Keogh & Neil Miles in 13th.
After a short break lunch Race 2 got underway in a still building breeze. The home team of Richard & John had a poor start having to duck boats on Port tack whilst Andy & Tarren and Steve & Jerry managed to get their noses ahead as the fleet surged towards the first mark.
Carl & Shellie having a few teething problems with their new spinnaker system had headed in for an early cup of tea while the other crews fought it out on the lake. Andy & Tarren edged into the lead and managed to hold onto first making it a double bullet and Open victory.
Of the home boats Rich & John managed to hold off Chris & Paul to get 6th just behind Ann Whitfield & her crew (Pennine). Colin & Neil (M) came 10th, with Adrian & Neil (H) 11th and Carol & Richard 12th
Pictures From Race 2
Pictures by Andrew Jones
Another short break and some fiddling with the spinnaker system on Carl & Shellie’s boat and Race 3 saw twelve boats on the water for the start in a breeze that was still gently building.
Richard & John had a fantastic start, getting to the windward mark to find themselves completely clear of the chasing pack. They managed to stay ahead for just over a lap when Andy & Tarren managed to sneak followed by Steve & Jerry and then Chris Massey & Geoff Edwards (Dovestone).
Race three finished with Andy & Tarren 1st, Steve & Jerry 2nd, Chris & Geoff 3rd, Richard & John 4th and Carl & Shellie 5th
Winnning the event overall with three wins was Andy McKee & Tarren Jones (Dovestone) with Steve Walker and Jerry Hannabuss (Pennine) a close 2nd and Chris Massey & Geoff Edwards (Dovestone) 3rd.
First home boat and retaining the Luff Trophy was Richard Jones & John Purdie (5th), beating Carl Jones & Shellie Jones (6th) by a single point.
The Final Results can be found here
Shotwick Lake 2013 Scorpion Open
A big Thank You goes to Ron King and his team for running the event and as always our marvelous Galley Ladies for keeping everyone fed and watered throughout the day.
