Frensham Pond Lark Open

17th April 2005

Following on from the Lark Youth Championships the day before, Frensham hosted its annual Lark Open with an entry of 30 boats, with many travelling up to three hours, for a day of close racing throughout the fleet. With a large fleet the Race Officer, Tim Hemsley did a great job as the wind increased and swung during the day, with the occasional use of the black flag.

In the first race, the fleet closely bunched at the first mark, with several visitors unsure of the direction to the next mark and were slow to bear away. This allowed Ian and Stephan Videlo to gybe clear of the bunch into the breeze and a clear lead. Several boats fort for second place, that eventually went to Dougal Scott and David Marlow from Harry Pynn and Richard Truscott who pulled through to third.

In race two Nigel Hufton and Chris Whitehouse took an early lead but again many place changes occurred amongst the leading boats with the very tight racing. In the end after a close fight with Michael Gifford and Kirsty Phipps and Dougal and David, Chris Ellis and Kathryn Young took first place from Dougal and David with Michael and Kirsty third.

After a break for lunch the third race got underway in a building breeze. Ian and Stephen Videlo just led at the first mark from Stuart Hydon and Hannah Showell. The Videlos narrowly survived a near capsize on the first reach. Stuart momentary took the lead before dropping his tiller extension to allow the Videlos through to lead to the end, with Stuart and Hannah second and Michael and Kirsty third.

In the final race Nigel Hufton and Chris Whitehouse was first at the weather mark, Ian and Stephen pulled through to a close second by the end of the first reach to overhaul Nigel and Chris on the next beat who finished third. Chris Ellis and Kathryn Young pulled through well to take the lead on the final lap only to be beaten on the line by Ian and Stephen who won the race and the event.

Final overall positions:

Position Sail No. Crew Club R1 R2 R3 R4 Points
1st 2257 Ian & Stephen Videlo Waldringfield 1 4 1 1 3
2nd 2469 Chris Ellis & Kathryn Young Frensham 8 1 5 2 8
3rd 2492 Dougal Scott & David Marlow Rock 2 2 7 4 8
4th 2493 M Gifford & Kirsty   7 3 3 5 11
5th 2470 Nigel Hufton & Chris Whitehouse Frensham 4 6 11 3 13
6th 2332 Stuart Hydon & Hannah Showell Situstokes 6 8 2 DSQ 16
7th 2452 Harry Pynn & Richard Truscott Waldringfield 3 7 12 6 16
8th 2339 Andy Shorrock & C Bonella Frensham 5 5 6 DSQ 16
9th 2491 Tom & Jo Hewitson Royal Northern and Clyde 10 9 4 DSQ 23
10th 2323 Chris Holliman & Chris Robinson Portsmouth 19 12 9 9 30
11th 2230 Steve Chatten & Helen Barry IBSC 25 16 8 8 32
12th 2484 Helen Scott & Vicky Gardner   11 14 20 10 35
13th 12 Phil & Lynda Whitney Frensham 12 21 10 14 36
14th 2465 Will & Dave Croxford South Staffs 9 17 13 DSQ 39
15th 2462 Nick & Joanna Marlow Northampton 14 11 14 DNC 39
16th 2413 Geoff Mayhew & Mark Stone Waldringfield DNF 19 18 7 44
17th 1456 Bruce Hill & Rob Marriott Frensham DNF 18 15 11 44
18th 2472 Nigel Scott & Dave Hawkins South Cerney 13 15 16 DNC 44
19th 2459 Nigel & Fiona Denchfield Stewartby 16 20 19 15 50
20th 2320 Simon Hopkins & Karen Bowen   15 13 24 DNF 52
21st 2439 Ben Stone & Hannah Mayhew Waldringfield 17 22 23 13 52
22nd 2045 Bob Larder & Ollie Impey Frensham 20 25 21 12 53
23rd 2200 Matthew Wood & Sam Atkinson Frensham 18 26 25 16 59
24th 246 Robert & Ruth Marlow Northampton 22 23 27 17 62
25th 2438 Nicholas & Alexander Lake Frensham 21 24 26 18 63
26th 2313 Deborah Truscott & Hanna Potbury Frensham 24 27 DNC 19 70
27th 2489 Simon Cox & Sam Booth   DNF 10 DNC DNC 72
28th 24 James Newell & Rob Woodward Portsmouth 23 DSQ 22 DNF 76
29th   Dan Shaw Frensham DNC DNC 17 DNC 79
30th 2419 Sandy Lavelle & Pat Jones Shearwater DNF 28 DNC DNC 90