UKWA Midland Region Product 3

Unfortunately Bartley was cancelled in 08 Due to heavy snow overnight and on the morning of the event. It is hoped to reschedule the event later in the year.

Thanks for your support

The 2008 Inland series gets off to a fantastic start with 88 entries at Carsington

The Midland region would like to thank the 88 competitors who turned our to race last weekend at Carsington Water. Despite the extreme cold, the race team gave competitors nine rounds of course racing which was both exciting and extremely competitive.

Saturday morning began with a box course and two races were held in a strong North Easterly wind. Most competitors headed to the nearby Island between races and all but a few suffered the extreme pain of ‘The hot aches’, and many blue feet could be seen amongst the barefoot sailors. After lunch the race officer set a windward leeward course to accommodate the dingy fleets who had come out to share the water and a further three rounds of racing took place.

Saturday evening saw the UKWA take over the local pub, which was at least warm, had good beer and served excellent food.

Sunday had promised much lighter winds but out on the course little had changed, certainly not the temperature and a further four rounds of racing on the windward leeward course tested both the competitors stamina and pain thresholds. Ten junior sailors who raced on the team 15 course on Saturday joined the main course on Sunday with a reduced upwind leg and showed great skill and more than a little bravery with a mad Frenchman flying around the course chased by rapidly improving Dan Simpson.

Overall fleet winners, Techno - Sam Sills, Raceboard - Tom Naylor, RS:X - Ed Strange, Formula - Xavier Ferlet. Full results will follow soon.

Our sincere thanks goes out to everyone who helped make the event such a success.

Carsington Water, Carsington Fields Camping site who took over the overnight camping at discounted rates at such short notice.

Rescue – Malcolm Cooper, Paul Linnet, Ed Carr, Paul Chapman, Rob Strange, Oz Brown, Dave Barratt, John Owen, Steve Scissons & Kevin Profitt

The weekend of 17^th / 18^th May saw 175 competitors arriving at Whitwell, Rutland water to compete in The UKWA Inland National Championships, The Midland Windsurfing Association Event 4, The UK Kona Cup, The RYA Junior Championships and the famous spectacle of the Rutland Marathon. Despite the skepticism sometimes leveled at inland waters, Rutland again delivered perfect conditions for course racing. On The main course, day one saw 4 rounds of racing for all fleets culminating with the Rutland Marathon, a long distance race around the perimeter of Rutland Water challenging both technique and stamina. This race has been held for 23 years and sponsorship is encouraged with proceeds being donated to The National Children’s Homes. This years winner, collecting the Laura Ashley trophy, ‘The Flying Frenchman’ Mr Xavier Ferlet. Day two again saw perfect conditions and the race team again ran four rounds of racing. Fleet winners included Xavier Ferlet, Mark Page, Mike Blackgrove, Ed Strange, Robert Kent, Ian Craft and Sam Sills. On the junior course 63 talented young sailors grew in confidence as the weekend progressed. Undoubtedly they benefited from competing along side some of the top course racers in the UK and reveling in the atmospheres generated by such a large event. Nine races were held over the two days Fleet winners included Flynn Page, Daniel Wilson, Robert Griffiths, Samuel Hibdige, Oliver Bradley Baker and Tom Squires. Saturday evening also saw the Junior sailors competing in Human Table Football before joining the older competitors, parents and spectators for the Marathon Prize Giving and Rutland raffle.

Thanks to course race sponsors Boardwise, Junior Event hosts The RYA, Anglian Water and everyone who volunteered to make the event such a success.

Everyone raising sponsorship money for the NCH Charity was given a commemorative T shirt sponsored by Windsurf Magazine, Starboard / Tushingham, Ultra Sport Europe, Rutland Watersports / Anglian water, Noblemarine Insurance Ltd, Demon Sails, Boards Magazine, Surf Sales/Dakine, The UKWA Midlands Region, Ricks Windsurfing, Mex Homes Ltd, Red Nemesis Dog, Oxendon Trailers, Boardwise, Surf Centre/Mistral, Dave Nobles, Trevor Steels Trailers Neil Pryde and Scottish Newcastle Breweries.

Chloe Robinson gets guard of honor from safety crews for finishing the Marathon in just over two hours

Send mail to rollwood@globalnet.co.uk with questions or comments about this web site. Last modified: April 29, 2008

Send mail to rollwood@globalnet.co.uk with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: April 29, 2008