The team of host club helpers arrived at Burton Sailing club on Saturday the 1st of October to be greeted by sunshine and a gusty force 3. This differed from the forecast, but then what’s new!
Preparation had been underway at Foremark Reservoir for the 25^th Inland Championship for some time and the organisation and friendly greeting from the locals was second to none.
In total 40 boats entered for what were the first two-day Inlands ever held. In total 5 races over 2 days, with a few drinks and snacks in between.
After rigging OOD Tim Bird briefed the fleet in front of the clubhouse. Foremark Reservoir is 230 acres in size and 26 metres deep in places and so water is usually in great supply. Happily this was the case and with no weed to worry about all seemed set for a fantastic Championship. Due to an experience whilst being race officer at the GP Midland Areas a few years previous Tim had organised bow numbers for the competitors. 90% of the boats are white and so these were a great help to the race committee for both recording boats and for establishing who was OCS. This was to become a significant player in the events that were about to unfold.  Three races were scheduled for the first day and all three were sailed in a gusty force 3. At times the breeze built and lulled slightly, but for inland sailing all was perfect.

Race 1
Unusually for the GP fleet the race got away first time. A slight port biased was set for the line, but this resulted in a slight bunching at the pin end. Both Jeffs and Nelson were over, but neither returned when the individual recall flag was raised. At the windward mark Jeffs was leading followed by Flynn and Platt. As the fleet turned onto a run for the second leg most of the fleet went right. Then after a gybe a screaming reach followed where 2 boats tripped over. A new Duffin Boat (Roger Walton) had a back spinnaker with a Scull and Crossbones across the middle. This looked great as it contrasted against the blue sky and gradually crashed into the water.  After lap 1 the positioning of the leaders was Platt by Jeffs, Flynn, Jones and Kenyan. These five boats swapped places throughout the race, but after 3 laps the course was shortened and finished Jeffs(OCS), Flynn, Platt, Jones, Pitt.

Race 2
The breeze had built slightly for the second start to a force 4. After a clean start the boats arrived at the windward mark lead by Jeffs closely followed by Flynn, Mee, Jones and Kenyan. After two reaches and the second beat the boats turned onto a run. Jeffs led and went right. Flynn followed and went left. Mee went down the middle. All three arrived at the mark at the same time. They finished Jeffs, Mee, Jones, Flynn, Pickering.

Race 3
After tea, pasties and cake the 3^rd race started at 5pm at the second attempt due to a general recall. 3 boats were over( Jeffs, Mee and Jannering), but none returned. After the second beat Jeffs was ahead with Jacques and Janering closely following. At the end of the 1^st lap Jeffs, Jacques and Mee had pulled away from the rest of the fleet. At the finish Mee won followed by Jacques and Jeffs (OCS) then Platt and Flynn.

The boats sailed in with the sun setting across the lake.  The event was excellent value with the evening meal included within the price and so most of the fleet stayed on to enjoy a few drinks.

Sunday morning started with bright sunshine and a gentle breeze.

Race 4
The first start was a disaster with all boats over at the start gun. Out came the black flag and so second time around the fleet was much better behaved. The best start was made by Instone, but he wasn’t able to maintain his advantage as Jeffs made it first to the windward mark followed by Janering, Williams, Hately and Nelson. After two laps they finished Hately, Williams, Mee, Flynn and Platt.

Race 5
The race started in a gentle breeze that built after two legs resulting in one boat capsizing. Flynn had a flying start, but was OCS. Jeffs was close to being over, but judged it correctly however, he returned just in case.  At the windward mark McGovern led followed by Instone, Janering, Platt and Pugh. After the first lap this order had changed to Platt, McGovern, Instone, Davies. These four being quite a distance in front of the chasing pack. The order changed for the finish, but Platt stayed in front and by doing so surprised himself by being the overall championship winner.

All boats were packed up and the presentation took place in the clubhouse at 3pm.    

Overall Results

1^st        -            Ian Platt and Chris Jolly                                Bolton SC
2^nd        -            Matt Mee and Andrew Brook                       Hollingworth Lake SC
3^rd         -            Graham Flynn and Frank Nickless                Dovey YC
4^th        -           Justin Jones and Liz Pugh                              South Staffs SC

1^st Youth                      –          Matt Mee                                Hollingworth Lake SC
1^st Master                   -            Ian Platt                                  Bolton SC
1^st Grand Master        -            Nick Eaves                            Bartley SC
1^st Lady                        -           Michell Williams                     Chase SC
Team Prize                -           Chase SC