Essex Silver Tiller
Published in Yachts and Yachting 30th May 1975
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Essex Silver TillerPublished in Yachts and Yachting 30th May 1975 |
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It seemed that local helmsmen would dominate the Essex Y.C. Silver Tiller meeting on May 11th when Vernon Ralston and Steve France led the fleet for the first leg of the race.
However, with the wind blowing a blustery Force 3-4 the next two reaching legs destroyed the hopes of the home supporters for a home win.
France capsized and Ralston had gear problems with his mainsheet traveller which helped Laurie Smart from S.M.Y.C. to lead the race at the end of the second beat, followed by Ralston, Stu Broughton from ranelagh and Colin Humphrey from Cookham Reach.
During the progress of the race the wind had started to drop and shifts become more and more noticeable and place changing more frequent.
John Harris from Ranelagh and Bob Deacon from Cookham Reach moved up to challenge the leaders but could not close the gap.
The wind had now settled to a north-westerly direction making the last two rounds very much of a procession with Smart maintaining his control of the race to win from Broughton, Harris and Deacon with Ralston fifth and Geoff O'Neill from Wembley S.C. sixth.
1st Laurie Smart / Russell Bell, S.M.Y.C. 2nd Stu Broughton / Dave Webster, Ranelagh 3rd John Harris / Dave Wooton, Ranelagh 4th Bob Deacon / Graham Broadway, C.R.S.C. 5th Vernon Ralston / Peter Siddall, Essex Y.C. 6th Geoff / Mike O'Neill, Wembley |
Laurie Smart |