Inland Championships 2008
The forecast for October 4 and 5 and the annual Squib Inland Championships the weekend had been one of contrasts - for southerly winds, strong on Saturday and almost none, but heavy rain, on Sunday. Some parts turned out to be true.
On the first day, the wind started at 20 knots and built to 28 to 30 knots by the time of the third race. The second day brought the rain but while the wind reduced from force 6-7, it was still force 4-5.
Four masts went over the side; one boat was holed on the start line and one was swamped (but recovered without sinking) after a broach. Numerous other boats suffered minor damage – physical or psychological! 50 boats were entered and 45 started a race. 26 boats were scored DNF or DNC at least once and four boats never started at all. One (perhaps wisely) did not even arrive!
Squibs are tough boats and can take almost any conditions. Indeed at Cowes Week this year, the fleet experienced similar if not stronger winds (including a force 8 gust) without any problems. So what caused the carnage at Rutland? Part of the answer is that it was cold - very cold - but part of it was the unpredictable and sudden gusts coming from seemingly random directions. When Rutland Water plays up, it plays hard!
The decision on whether to fly a spinnaker was a factor. Few boats hoisted the kite in the third race and all chose to two sail reach in the second. While leading the first race, Gerard Dyson and Tony Saltonstall decided to drop the spinnaker, rather than gybe and carry it on the next reach. Chris and Mark Hogan capitalised on this, gybed their kite and took the lead.
The championship was primarily a battle between these two crews although the Rileys and the Grogans did score a second place each. Chris and Mark Hogan showed amazing boat speed, winning one race a clear leg in front.
However, Gerard Dyson and Tony Saltonstall fought hard seeking to prevent the Hogans gaining clear air. With an all or nothing gamble, at the start of the final race and under the black flag, Dyson and Saltonstall tried to force the Hogans over the line. They and the Hogans were disqualified leaving three Chairmen of the National Squib Association to take the first three places, David Wines with Anthony Proctor being followed by Robert Coyle and Mel Titmus with Peter Marchant and Paul Austin in third.
David West