Northants Police vs. Northants Fire Brigade
Thursday, 10th July, 2008
Northampton Sailing Club, Pitsford Reservoir

After the day before, when it had never stopped raining, the change to brighter skies for the regatta was welcome for this inaugural competition between the  local Police & Fire Brigade. The teams comprised three boats each side, three races to be sailed with the points to count in the best two races of each competitor.

Teams:
Northants Police - Steve Middleditch (Laser), Kevin Colman (Laser Radial), Martyn Dearsley (Laser Radial)
Northants Fire Brigade - Martyn Emberson (Laser), Adrian & Sarah Sherratt (RS400), Alan Henson (Solo)

Race One. Course: C W P X (LINE) - Boats got away well in the strong winds. The course comprised a long beat  to 'C' and two gybes 'W' & 'P' coming downwind to the leeward mark 'X', then back through the 'limit line'. Whilst the Fire Brigade's RS 400 got well ahead, behind, Emberson & Middleditch, both with standard rig Lasers were fighting for position whilst Allan Henson kept his Solo well in contention with the Laser Radials. On the first lap the broad reach from 'P' to 'X' was tricky and at 'X', two of the Lasers came to grief capsizing on the mark and it became evident that the wind was creating the greatest challenge. The reach also caught out Dearsley who also lost time in rounding 'X' correctly.
When the Radials were dropped behind, the course was shortened and whilst the Sherratts completed three laps well in the lead, they only just managed to limp to the finish as the centreboard slot gasket came adrift causing the reservoir to come gushing into the boat. This was to mark their departure from the competition as the boat became unsailable. Second round the last mark was Middleditch closely followed by Emberson who managed to cross the line ahead in the strong winds. The Solo having kept up well with the Lasers had the race in the bag and was the winner on corrected time.

Race Two. Same course except that buoy 'P' was moved towards 'M' to alter the angles of the downwind legs. With the RS 400 off the water there were just five boats contending. A fair start once more but by now the wind was blowing a good Force 4 and darker clouds were slowly gathering. Fortunately, there were few gusts - merely wind-strength - to contend with and boats were managing to stay upright on the beats. It was mainly the gybes downwind that were catching boats out and at 'P' after a promising start both Emberson and Colman succumbed to conditions allowing Middleditch to get ahead. The Solo was also staying upright and slipped by whilst the Lasers slowly recovered to continue. On the second lap Colman capsized on 'P' once again and fell back allowing Dearsley to get ahead but by the third lap the fleet had stretched out and the race was again shortened. All boats completed three laps and Middleditch turned out the race winner beating Henson by just 7 seconds on corrected time.

Race Three.  Course: C W P M (LINE) - 'P' to 'M' would be a dead run - a very dead run...  Still the wind increased and the sky grew darker. A good start again with Middleditch tacking off early to beat up the right-hand side of the course. The odd gust was making the beat tricky. By 'C' Emberson had established a lead with Middleditch following but by the end of the first lap Henson in the Solo had overtaken Middleditch. Behind, Dearsley had overtaken Colman who was not having a good day.
On the second lap the rain came squalling in making the course more difficult. Dearsley capsized at the windward mark but recovered to overtake Colman who was in the water at 'W'. Emberson, well ahead and sailing cautiously, managed to gybe on the dead run but still capsized at 'M'. After the squall the wind settled somewhat but by this time Emberson had finish followed by Henson, the clear winner on corrected time with Middleditch third.

For the first competition between the two Services, conditions had been demanding. Prizes were awarded to the winners, Northants Fire Brigade and a donation made to Northampton Sailability.