Eastern 19 May

Post date: May 24, 2012 4:40:29 PM

Rutland Sailing club was the venue for the 2012 BSDRA Eastern Team Racing championships held on Saturday 19th May. Twelve teams sailed in two flights of fireflies supplied by Oakham school and Uppingham School. Whilst the sun was not in evidence, the rain held off and the wind conditions were a consistent force 3 which made for some excellent team racing throughout the day. The morning saw some exciting racing in three leagues of four with the leaders of each league and the best second place team proceeding through to the gold league in the afternoon. Oakham, Rugby and Rutland Sailing Club (RSC) all won their leagues with Royal Hospital School also going through to the gold league on points.

The afternoon sailing provided some close fought battles. Oakham ended up top of the gold league to put them in a final with RSC; Oundle the Silver league winners and Ipswich the bronze winners. In the finals, RSC beat Oakham 2-1, the first two races of the finals gave Oakham and RSC one race each to take the final down to an exciting last race. Oundle won the silver final and Oakham B the bronze.

Final positions at the end of the day:

1 RSC; 2 Oakham A; 3 RHS; 4 Oundle; 5 Rugby; 6 Norwich; 7 Haileybury; 8 Oakham B; 9 Ipswich; 10 Stamford; 11 Uppingham; 12 Stowe

Thank you to all the myriad of staff and adults who helped officiate on the day and the competitors for the spirit and enthusiasm with which they entered the competition. Particular thanks to Steve Tylecote who led up the expert umpire team. Congratulations to RSC on their victory, this young team have a bright future ahead of them.

Alastair Speers.