The weather was fine and, on the morning of the race, the wind filled in to give good sailing conditions for all competitors. It is the main event at BSA when able-bodied and disabled sailors compete against each other using the Portsmouth Yardstick handicap system.

22 boats entered BSA’s race and 22 finished. The fleet comprised six boats designed for disabled sailors who competed with able-bodied sailors in Flying Fifteens, Wanderers, Lasers and a Feva. Most of the fleet sail regularly at Bewl but many of the Wanderers had travelled to Bewl for their Inland Championship.

A triangular course was laid, starting near the Nature Reserve. The start was thrilling and, although close, no one was over the line and all started immediately after the gun. There was a long beat to the windward mark, which was taken to port, followed by a broad reach along the shore, which enabled spectators to follow the race. Boats carrying spinnakers flew them frequently to great advantage. The second mark was also taken to port, and the fleet fetched to the leeward buoy to start the beat again. As the wind fell during the race, it became more fickle, so helms needed to be vigilant to spot the shifts.

The Race Officer finished the race after an hour as the wind dropped and the boats started to slow down.

Dan Kingston in Flying Fifteen 3566 (BSA) led the race almost to the very end, but dropped his spinnaker early, allowing John Wardrop in Flying Fifteen 3911 (BSA), who kept his filled with wind, to overtake him and take the first finishing gun. However, when the results were calculated and the times corrected it was Paul Yeadon in Wanderer 1626 from Whitstable YC who won the event, closely followed by Philip Meadowcraft in Wanderer 1541 from Salcombe YC. Flying Fifteen 3911 was third. Ivor Nash in Hansa 2312 (Mariners of Bewl) was the first boat helmed by a disabled sailor. Max Martin in Feva 5851 was the only young sailor and he finished 18th overall.

The prize-giving was exciting as prizes – bottles of wine, cans of Coke and chocolates – were presented to over a third of the boats. You can see the results here http://bewlsailing.club/Results/  .

BSA collected £365 for the Andrew Simpson Foundation. This included £40 from the sale of cakes baked by BSA members and £40 from the barbecue provided by MarkerStudy Leisure (MSL), the rest of the money being donated by competitors and friends. Our thanks to MSL for their publicity and continued help in encouraging racing at Bewl.