Northants Regattas & Results, 2003

This Page provides details of the activities of Northamptonshire Police Sailing Section, their local regattas and related information in 2003.

Regatta 1, 15th May, 2003
Despite the unsettled weather which had been producing a variety of conditions during the week, on the day, the wind remained light and flukey. Steve Middleditch and his crew Steve Gray made a welcome return to Pitsford using a Sport 14 - the first time either had experienced an assymetric. Conditions were perfect for the Enterprise of Roger Badcock and his crew, Colin Brown who managed three firsts. Martin Beardsley in his newly acquired Laser managed not to lose contact throughout the racing though the light airs gave no benefit. Pete Mankiewicz and his new crew Pat Killeen kept the Flying Fifteen ahead on the water throughout the afternoon which, despite a slip in the third race, provided them with second position overall for the day.

Regatta 2, 12th June, 2003
This time the weather was sunny with a breeze approaching Force 2 at times. Only two boats made the line for the first two races. Pete Mankiewicz with crew Pat Kileen (Flying Fifteen) and Martyn Dearsley still coming to terms with his Laser.

Race One was a clear win for the Flying Fifteen and in the second race the Laser capsized with the centreboard coming out of the slot making life difficult for getting upright again.

The final race was joined by Roger Badcock and novice crew Graham Daly in the Enterprise. The three boats got away to a good start but on the third lap the Enterprise took a dive at the gybe mark allowing the Laser to get well ahead until the final beat when, of all things, the Laser mainsheet came apart. Time for rope renewal! Martyn just managed to nurse his boat to the finish line just beating the Enterprise on corrected time.

A glorious day when everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves including the dunkings. Full results at bottom of page.

Regatta 3, 10th July, 2003
Bright conditions with a Force 2-3 made for the best day's sailing so far this season. Five boats took part; the Flying Fifteen of Pete & William Mankiewicz, an Enterprise with Roger Badcock & Colin Brown plus three Lasers - Phil Osborne, Martyn Dearsley & Dick Sivers.

The wind direction made start-lines a problem for shore-based control and everyone on the water needed to keep their own times and adhere to sailing rules. This created no great problems as adequate time was given to set countdowns on the shore and get to the start line ready for the off. Dick Sivers sailed his Laser with a full rig whilst the other two Lasers used the smaller Radial sail.

The racing between the Radials and the Enterprise was close in all the races and the number of capsizes experienced by the Radials decided the outcome between the three of them. That and the Radials' inability to cross the finish line correctly... This made for some discussion at the end of the afternoon; there being no independent witness to incidents on the water.

Once again the day was enjoyed by all though the courses set, made for an amount of teeth-clenching gybes in the windy conditions. A bracing dip into the water in hot conditions perhaps made for a welcome relief. Results of the racing are at bottom of page.

Regatta 4, 7th August, 2003
The heatwave. Light winds barely much above Force One. The best place to be was on the water although the power of the sun still made for perspiring bodies.

Three races were held with Pete Mankiewicz and his daughter Emily in the usual Flying Fifteen, Roger Badcock with Colin Brown who is fast becoming his regular crew in the Enterprise, plus three Lasers sailed by Martyn Dearsley, Phil Osborne and son Tom respectively.

Race One. Course set and race commenced. Despite all efforts to produce a satisfactory performance three boats managed to sail the wrong course. It's amazing how different the relative directions of the buoys look when going round the course. Only the Flying Fifteen and Martyn's Laser Radial completed the course successfully.

Race Two was nearly an hour long. Putting two beats to windward in the shifty conditions sorted the fleet early on and this time the Enterprise won on corrected time.

Race Three was the shortest race and the four boats taking part hung close together for much of the race. Roger Badcock's Enterprise was again successful. Results are shown at the bottom  of the page.

Regatta 5, 21st August, 2003
On a bright but cloudy day, the winds were a good Force 3 and gusting. This made all three races tough going. Roger Badcock decided on the Mirror in deference to his non-regular crew, Miles Hadley. The usual three Lasers were out - Martyn Dearsley, Phil & Thomas Osborne whilst Pete and William Mankiewicz sailed their Flying Fifteen. Denis and Sylvia Pitcher also turned out in a GP14 but quite rightly, decided that discretion was the better part of valour in the circumstances. Denis has been retired well over 25 years and competed in PAA sailing in the 70's.

All three races were won by the Flying Fifteen with the Mirror thoroughly enjoying the conditions a worthy second place in each race. Of the Lasers, only Martin Dearsley managed to complete the first race and all three found the conditions almost too much. Martin ended his second race being brought to the shore in the rescue boat with his Laser following 20 minutes later while Phil Osborne lost the whole rig with the mast coming out of the deck to remain attached only by the downhaul. So much for safety measures brought in by the Laser Association 18 months ago. Results and update are shown at the bottom  of the page.

Regatta 6, 4th September, 2003
One of the last perfect days of summer; sun, pleasant wind (mainly Force 1-2). Just four boats turned out - Pete & William Mankiewicz in the Flying Fifteen, Phil Osborne (Laser Radial), Martyn Dearsley (Laser) and Roger Badcock & Miles Hadley, this time in the Enterprise. The afternoon looked perfect for Enterprises.

In Race One Osborne got the perfect start right on the button but failed to capitalise when the wind turned tricky up the first beat. Meanwhile Dearsley got first round the top mark but anything could happen when holes with no wind started to appear on the water. The Lasers struggled in the conditions but Mankiewicz eased along to finish first on the water with the Enterprise only 1 minute behind giving Badcock the race on corrected time.

Race Two. Conditions were unsettled, nevertheless it was a surprise to see Dearsley well ahead on the first down-wind leg only to be last in the fleet before the first lap was completed. Then it was the Flying Fifteen's turn to run out of wind which gave Badcock the chance to remain in contention and take the second race.

Race Three. The wind had held on all afternoon but had rarely given the chance for the Lasers to 'plane up' nor the Flying Fifteen to get full benefit from their spinnaker. It looked likely to be another win for the Enterprise. Dearsley managed a good start this time and fought to hang on to the transom of the Flying Fifteen for most of the race. Osborne fell away badly and Badcock in the Enterprise found the course difficult to maintain contact with the leaders. On corrected time it was Martyn Dearsley who came to proof recording his very first race win. Results and update are shown at the bottom of the page.

Regatta 7, 25th September, 2003
Four boats took part for the last regatta of the season held on a bright Autumnal afternoon with wind varying between Force 1 -2.

Phil Osborne got a way well in Race One but failed to capitalise on his early lead having wandered off on the left side of the course into lighter wind. Pete Mankiewicz was unable to use his Flying Fifteen spinnaker on the fine reach and Roger Badcock in his Enterprise was able to create a good lead. Halfway through the race, the wind changed in direction giving Mankiewicz the opportunity to use his spinney and catch up with the Enterprise but not quite enough. Badcock won on corrected time.

Race Two was to decide the series. As the race started, the wind died and the boats stayed close together up the first beat. On the reach the Flying Fifteen eked out a healthy lead but with the wind so light there was little value in their spinnaker and the distance between them and the Enterprise fluctuated greatly. At the finish line, the Enterprise was just a couple of minutes behind; close enough to record a second win and secure the series.

The wind was still fairly light for Race Three. Pete Mankiewicz managed to get into irons at the first mark losing valuable time whilst Martyn Dearsley kept it all together to stay ahead on the water for the whole race. Second on corrected time was Roger Badcock's Enterprise, third came Phil Osborne with his Laser Radial and the flying fifteen a disappointing fourth.

It had been a fine day for the finishing regatta and after the racing, members gathered on the club terrace to take refreshment, sort out the results and contemplate the forthcoming Met Offshore regatta in which a number of dinghy sailors are taking part.

Complete results for the year are at the bottom of this page..

Pictures from 2003 season's events :

NPSC - 2003 Regatta Series

(Guests are not included in the results for the 'Reliance Trophy)