Day 2 began with totally different conditions to Saturday. The breeze had swung around and was blowing (even at 8:30) at 5 to 8 mph from the clubhouse end and pretty straight down the lake, although we did start with light rain which dampened things down a bit. The format followed that on Day 1 with a 4 race group followed by a break with the aim of completing an additional 16 races by the end.
After moving the start and changing the spacing of the new windward marks and gate, racing got underway soon after 9:30, with Peter Baldwin having a good first session taking three of the four wins, whilst Nigel Barrow took the remaining one. Podium places were shared between Nigel, Bill Culshaw, Simon Robinson and Roger Errington. As usual for Birkenhead, there were some good shifts in the breeze which could help or hinder you around the course and some made better use of them than others.
In the second session (after biscuits and more sweet treats from Jocelyn Watkinson) the rain had stopped and the wins were shared around more with Nigel, Alan Watkinson, Simon Robinson and Roger Crates all taking one each. Podium places also shared around with Simon, Roger, Peter and Nigel all picking up good places.
At the lunch break and with 24 races now completed, Nigel was leading, 13 points clear of Peter in second and Roger Crates in third some 30 points further back.
The weather changed again after lunch with steady drizzle that continued through until the end of the day, although the only good part was that the wind held up, although did soften slightly towards the end of the final session. Suitably refreshed by lunch, Peter took two wins in this session, with one each to Nigel and Bill. Podium places were taken by most of the previous names, with David Adam now picking up a third.
Onto the final four races, Nigel was well clear barring any disasters. The races this time were shared between Roger E, David Adam, Roger C and Bill with Nigel, Simon, Peter and Graham Whalley with podium places.
So when the final results were entered, Nigel Barrow became the new Veterans Champion 2023 with Peter Baldwin in second and Roger Crates in third. Bill Culshaw took fourth place from Simon Robinson on countback.
At the prizegiving, Nigel thanked the Birkenhead Club for hosting the event and all of the volunteers – Martin Roberts as RO assisted by Neil Westbrook and Dave Williams (our photographer) and Bernie McNulty in the galley, who all helped make the event a very enjoyable weekends sailing. Thanks were also given to all competitors for attending and sailing the event in a competitive but non confrontational manner.
All the photos taken by Dave Williams are available in the Gallery here
A report for Day 1 is here
