The first of a treble of Osprey opens was sailed at Kielder Water, comprising full length Dam to Dam races on successive days, with the Ospreys competing as a class within a mixed handicap fleet. A few sailors had arrived early, to practice, or just to gaze upon the wild Ospreys visible on their nesting posts and hunting fish for their dinner.
In the calms half way up the lake, the nine strong Osprey fleet found itself in close company with such unlikely bedfellows as a Laser 2000, an Aero and a Dart 18, as all boats struggled to escape the calm stretches. But at least, the final beat offered a slightly steadier breeze. The finish was exciting with a very biased pin end causing a few more place changes within the closing meters. After 2 hours 20 minutes of racing, there was only 5 minutes between the first and last Osprey!
The second Dam to Dam race day started with promise of a little more breeze, which held sufficiently to give a good beat up the first leg of the reservoir.
The majority of the fleet headed to the left hand side of the lake, with a couple of punters taking a flutter on the right. Once the first corner of the lake was rounded, a minor boat park formed, with all Ospreys in a line. A small gust pushed the fleet closer together, ready for the final short tacking push to the top mark, as the lake narrowed at the far end. Kielder's Rob Shaw / Ian Little led at the top from Alan Henderson/ Alastair Barrie of Prestwick, with Rob Burdekin / Alistair Raynard from Blithfield third.
Downwind the fleet split again, with another concertina effect at the dog leg on the lake - all boats were within approximately 20m first to last. Snakes and ladders were the game of the day, with most people finding a hole at least once on the run down, but Rob Burdekin / Alastair Raynard burst into the lead on the downwind.
A fabulous fetch to the finish line provided the most wind of the day and the highest speed, with all Ospreys on the plane flat out to the finish. Burdekin / Raynard held on to win, with Stewart Murdoch / Sandy Bremner of Royal Tay, second, and Mamwell / Butler taking another third. Moving average through the race was 4.6 knots, with a more modest maximum speed of 10.7 knots.
Overall Results:
Pos Sail No Boat Name Helm Crew Club R1 R2 Pts
1st 1314 Think Again Viola Scott F Michael Scott Lochaber YC 1 5 6
2nd 1350 WARNING...Contains Nuts Alec Mamwell Arthur Butler Coniston SC 3 3 6
3rd 1363 Robbers Alley Alistair Raynard Rob Burdekin Blithfield SC 8 1 9
4th 1366 Burach Stewart Murdoch Sandy Bremner Royal Tay YC 7 2 9
5th 1291 Waimanu Alex Willis F Nick Willis Hayling Island SC 2 7 9
6th 1349 Bird of Prey IV Robert Shaw Ian Little Kielder Water SC 5 4 9
7th 1367 Silver Machine Alan Henderson Alistair Barrie Prestwick SC 4 6 10
8th 1292 Light & Bitter Paul Heather Jonathan Osgood Teignmouth Corinthian SC 6 8 14
9th 1114 Just Pogo Ros Downs F David Downs Tata Steel SC 9 9 18
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