Hollingworth Lake Craftinsure Silver Tiller and the infamous Felucca Trophy 2023
Seven visitors turned up to a chilly Hollingworth Lake to join the seven locals for the annual two-day Craftinsure Silver Tiller and Felucca Trophy. Due to the BBC filming a drama at the sailing club the rowing club kindly loaned us their facilities for the weekend.
Race 1 got underway cleanly but with a 90 degree + shift up the first beat the leaders reached in over the top of those who had headed right on the way to mark F. It was very much a follow my leader race with the wind having changed direction and the course been set. Mike and Jane Calvert lead the fleet for the first half lap before heading to the wrong mark thinking we had a lead boat, but it was just a guy having some fun! This let Matt Biggs and Beka Jones, Caroline Croft and Rebecca Videlo through which were the results at the finish line with Mike and Jane taking third.
Race 2 was a different course with numerous wind and rain squalls for the fleet to deal with and some unfortunate enough to be testing the water temperatures! Matt and Beka took their second win of the day followed by Mike and Jane then Caroline and Rebecca.
With a quick break for afternoon tea and a chance to grab some more warm layers for several cold sailors, race 3 kicked off. This time there were numerous race leaders, but with some confusion of the shortened course (for all), Caroline and Rebecca managed to take the race win from Mike and Jane who had the lead towards the end of the race. Julian Parry and Matt Currell took third, and Matt and Beka in fourth.
Overnight leaders were Matt and Beka, second was Caroline and Rebecca and in third was Mike and Jane Calvert. The sailing club members put on a lovely Spanish tapas evening at the rowing club, for sailors to catch up on the day’s events.
Sunday dawned with frost on the covers! A 30-minute postponement went up as we waited for the wind to fill in on the lake. Sailors added more layers than the day before and headed out for the last two races of the weekend. Race 4 Matt and Beka lead the way with a lovely lead from start to finish with Mike and Jane taking 2nd and Caroline and Rebecca taking 3rd.
Race 5 got off cleanly but a challenging start as it involved a tack to port to cross the line. Mike and Jane lead this race from Matt and Beka whilst third was tussled for by a number of boats. Mike and Jane took the win from Matt and Beka and Caroline and Rebecca fought back to take third.
Overall results:
- Matt Biggs & Beka Jones
- Mike & Jane Calvert
- Caroline Croft & Rebecca Videlo
Gold – Stephen Crook & Sally Townsend
Silver – Colin Anderson & Sean Anderson
Bronze – Les Bithell & Emma Turner
Report by Caroline Croft.
