Sunday 24th August

A wind, changeable all afternoon, gave the Evesham sailors a variety of challenges at Common Road on Sunday.

Sailing for the Weir Meadow Trophy over three heats, Ian Edwards stormed into a lead even after returning to the start line, being adjudged to have been over at the start. Giving chase in second and third positions were Roger Middleton and Team Baylis and the race settled down to end in that order.

After a lunch break, the second heat again had Edwards gaining an early lead, but this time being pursued by Peter Green and Middleton. A separate duel between Team Baylis and Rod Stephens taking place just behind the leading three. In the end it was Edwards first again, followed by Green and Middleton.

 

As the wind dropped, the race officer made changes to the course for the third heat. Edwards again took the lead, but in the changing conditions found it hard to overcome the handicap of the two chasing Mirrors of Stephens and Team Baylis. With the rest out of it, the race ended with Edwards crossing the line first, but having to settle for third place behind Team Baylis and Stephens on handicap. The overall result was first, and winner of the Weir Meadow Trophy, Ian Edwards, second Team Baylis, and third, Roger Middleton.

Four of the Evesham sailors have just returned from competing in the British Moth National Championship which was held at Hunts sailing Club, Cambridgeshire. All the Evesham Sailors acquitted themselves well but Ian Edwards finished in 7th position in what had been a particularly well fought championship against some very high competition.

A brisk and gusting south westerly wind made for some exciting action at the Common Road club on Sunday. Two Handicap events were to fill the afternoons sport, and provide spills and exhilarating planing reaches for the competitors.

The first race started with Adam Styles, Ian Edwards, Tony Jacks and Simon Newman all fighting for position with Styles and Edwards taking the early advantage. A capsize on the leeward gybe mark soon put Edwards back in the fleet with Jacks taking advantage and sailing through to chase Styles. Newman was soon left out of contention after he also capsized. A fast planing reach had Styles in trouble when he broached in a vicious gust and over he went. Unfortunately, he required assistance from the patrol boat crew and had to retire giving Jacks an unexpected lead which he held for two laps . A fast recovering Edwards, after another capsize, was steadily closing in on Jacks and it was a mistake by the latter leading to a capsize which let Edwards through and back into the lead. The positions at the line were first Edwards, second Jacks and third Newman.

The second race started in a slightly kinder wind with fewer gusts, The gauntlet was thrown down by Styles who was to try and make amends for his earlier misfortune. He led Edwards and Jacks for the first two laps until the speed of his duel with Edwards took the pair away from the rest of the fleet and it was a two way battle to the finish with each trying to outwit the other and the lead constantly changing until Edwards forced a starboard/port advantage and gained a slight lead which he then opened up to win by two lengths over Styles and Jacks coming in third.

A successful days sailing with a large turnout of members helped to put the season's programme back on track down at the Common Rd Club on Sunday.

In the first race, a pursuit, Rod Stephens and Simon Newman in their Mirrors led off the staggered start and made a good distance before the rest of the fleet was released to give chase. Stuart Bonham, Ian Edwards, Peter Green and John Pickford (Moths) were soon joined by Roger Middleton (Comet), before the father and son pair of Simon Styles and Adam Styles in their Lightnings joined the fray. The Mirrors of Newman and Stephens were overhauled after another lap with Edwards taking the lead being chased hard by Bonham, Pickford and Green until Adam Styles fought his way through the Moths to catch Edwards and take the lead off him. This continued with the leading trio of Styles, Edwards and Pickford opening up a considerable lead which they held until the hour expired, finishing in that order.

In the second race, which was a handicap, the wind freshened for the mass start, allowing Edwards and Adam Styles to take an immediate lead with the rest fighting for position behind. The duel between Edwards and Adam Styles was to continue for the remainder of the race with Green, Pickford and Simon Styles fighting it out for third place. Green had a slight gear failure which allowed Pickford through and after getting out of trouble earlier in the race, a fast approaching Simon Styles managed to pass Pickford. Green in the meantime had rectified his gear problem and was slowly closing in on Pickford but unfortunately he ran out of laps. The results, Adam Styles first, Edwards second and Simon Styles third.

With a blustery wind from the north west, the race officer set an interesting course to make the best of the wind direction, giving the Evesham sailors a real test. The first race saw John Pickford use the reaching wind to make a flying start over the rest of the fleet, which he held for the first lap before being caught by Ian Edwards. Stuart Bonham, Tony Jacks and Roger Middleton were all in close contention, each lap being a mixture of fast planing reaches and at the upper end of the course, a slow sail through the wind shadows caused by the clubhouse. Pickford regained his lead and slowly opened up a gap between himself and the rest which was not to be broken. Edwards kept Bonham, Jacks and Middleton at bay with the end result being first Pickford, second Edwards and third Bonham.

In the second race Pickford had to fight his way to the front and led for a lap until he hit a mark of the course and, in doing his penalty, incurred another when he impeded Bonham. This allowed Edwards and Bonham to pass with Edwards powering away on a reach to open up an unassailable lead. Bonham and Pickford battled it out for a while with Bonham coming back at Pickford time and time again until the latter managed to break away. Jacks was slowly catching up on Bonham but could not quite catch him. The result; Edwards first, Pickford second and Bonham third.

Evesham sailors were surprised that the river level was normal after all the heavy rainfall in the Vale, and continued their programme with two interesting races. The first race saw the mass start downstream to the first mark at the weir with Tony Jacks and John Pickford (Moths) battling for an early lead but being chased hard by Adam and Simon Styles (Lightnings) with Roger Middleton (Comet) and Hugh Toplis (Mirror) close behind. Pickford made the break on the run back upstream but was closed down by Jacks by the leeward mark. This battle continued for several laps before Pickford again broke away leaving Jacks to the mercy of the Styles'. A very close race ensued with the result being; first Pickford, second Jacks, and third Adam Styles

In the second race, it was Adam who made the break from the start with Peter Green snapping at his heels and Simon Styles and Pickford fighting to keep up with the leading pair. Simon closed down Green, only having to do penalty turns and letting both Green and Pickford through. Green again was passed by Simon, and Pickford managed to sneak passed on the last lap to deny Green a place. The results after the handicaps were calculated; Adam first, Pickford second and Simon third.

With the wind only slightly less than the cancelled sailing day of the previous week, the Evesham Sailing Club recommenced their programme with two exciting races to fill the afternoons sport.

The first race, a pursuit, saw Team Baylis shoot away and gain over a lap before the British Moths  of Ian Edwards, Tony Jacks, Peter Green & John Pickford were brought into the race, followed closely by Simon and Adam Styles in their Lightnings. Vicious gusts coming up over the weir created havoc as the fleet attempted to turn together, and gybe for the following mark, resulting in a mass of capsized boats with only Edwards and Adam Styles surviving and sailing clear. Damage to the Team Baylis Mirror forced them to retire followed by Green while Jacks, Styles senior and Pickford recommenced the chase. As the clock ticked down, it seemed that Edwards had it in the bag but Adam Styles relentlessly closed him down. A sudden hard gust near the end of an exhilarating planing run upstream was the undoing of Edwards as he vanished in a plume of spray as he capsized, allowing Adam through followed by Simon. As the hooter sounded it was Adam Styles first, Simon Styles second, and an unlucky Edwards in third.

The second race was a handicap with a mass start upstream, with Edwards, Adam Styles, Pickford and Jacks in close company, fighting the gusting wind and trying to outwit each other. Styles took a narrow lead, Edwards broached allowing Pickford and Jacks through. The duel between Styles and Pickford continued lap after lap, Pickford eventually managing to gain a small lead but, falling into the same trap as Edwards in the first race, capsized at the gybe mark to let Styles retake the lead. Edwards had managed to shake off the attentions of Jacks and was intent on catching Pickford but another capsize put paid to his efforts, the race ending with Styles the victor, Pickford second and Edwards third.

Light and variable winds tested the skill and patience of Evesham sailors on Sunday, where two races filled the afternoon's sport.

The first race had Ian Edwards and Adam Styles taking a lead off the line before the fleet closed up again, with Simon Newman sailing through to surprise the leaders. On the run down stream, the fleet had sorted itself out and spread along the course. John Pickford finding himself in last place after having to do a penalty turn. Styles chased hard in the fickle conditions but could not close down Edwards. Pickford made up for his error and made steady progress through the rest of the boats to finish third.

The second heat had the trio of Edwards, Styles and Pickford, fighting it out for the whole race. Each taking it in turn to lead, trying to read the wind to gain an advantage over the others. It was neck and neck right up to the last mark where all three turned for the last beat to the finish line but it was Pickford who, taking advantage of a sudden gust , managed to sail clear to take the win from Edwards who was half a boat length ahead of Styles, the rest of the fleet finishing some way behind.

Despite the weather forecast for the Bank Holiday Weekend, the programmed "Olympics" event went ahead in wet & windy conditions, incidentally providing much entertainment for the caravanners pitched on the Weir Meadow Caravan site.

The Styles family of Simon & Julie , assisted by Adam and Zoë organised the event with race officers Simon and Adam providing a variation of courses to sail using the full length of the sailable part of the river. With three races on the programme, using the Olympic style of course, the conditions were ideal for an interesting days sport.

The first race over five laps required sailing off course after the five laps were completed requiring the participants to keep a count of the number of laps in their heads as well as concentrating on sailing. The conditions suited Ian Edwards and John Pickford who created a lead on the rest of the fleet, with several battles going on all down the line. The new partnership of father and son Stuart & Rob Bonham were quickly mastering the Lark, while Peter Green, being a late starter on the line, was making headway on the fleet and eventually passing the Mirrors of Team Baylis and Simon Newman to gain on the leading Moths of Edwards and Pickford. Edwards picked up the win with Pickford second and Green third.

The second race over a changed course, again saw Edwards charging off into a lead, Pickford and Green being left behind to challenge for second place. Meanwhile, the Lark of Team Bonham got swamped in a vicious gybe, leaving them to bale furiously, while the rest of the fleet sailed through. Green got caught on handicap by Team Baylis, the result being Edwards first, Pickford second, Team Baylis third.

The third race was for double points making it a race which was wide open but Edwards had the bit between his teeth and show his liking for the conditions by powering away to take a lead that, providing he kept upright, would ensure him of overall victory. Pickford came in second ,while Team Baylis, fighting off a late challenge by Newman, were third.

The overall results were Edwards Gold, Pickford Silver & Team Baylis Bronze. Click here for a photo of the medal winners, l to r:  John Pickford, Ian Edwards and Paul & Anne Baylis

With a brisk wind from the east, a crowded start line indicated an exhilarating afternoon's sailing to come. Straight from the off, the two races in the programme provided just that. In the first race, the mass of boats soon sorted themselves out in the beat to the windward mark which was set near to the marina entrance. The two Lightnings helmed by the two Styles, were busy holding off the challenge of Ian Edwards while Team Baylis and John Pickford were doing battle behind. The lead was eventually taken by Edwards, but he was pushed all the way by Adam Styles. Pickford had managed to shake off the attentions of Team Baylis and set off after Simon Styles. Edwards taking the win, followed by Adam Styles and Pickford just taking third on handicap from Simon Styles.

The second race saw both Team Baylis and Edwards over the line at the start, While they were re-crossing the line, Adam Styles and Pickford thought they had a good chance of pulling out a lead but the rest of the fleet got a sudden lift which brought them all together by the time the windward mark was reached, with Team Baylis taking a narrow lead. On the run back downstream, Adam Styles had a flyer and slowly overhauled the leaders to open up a lead himself with Edwards chasing hard. Simon Styles in contention with Pickford and Team Baylis, was slowly closed down, and Pickford again shook off Team Baylis to catch Simon on handicap . The result Adam Styles first, Edwards second and Pickford third.

Evesham Sailing Club have just had a particularly busy weekend. Travelling British Moth sailors joined up at Evesham for the Open meeting competing for the Clarke Cup. A cold blustery easterly wind greeted them and the race officer, Simon Styles, used the river to give a selection of trying courses for the three races.

In the first heat, Ian Edwards showed his liking for the conditions and took an immediate lead over the rest who all came together at the windward mark resulting in a fight for survival in an effort to clear the mark. John Pickford came out of it best before being closed down by Ian Haywood and Jeremy Higson. David Taylor(Upton Warren) came into the race and swept past Pickford and Higson. A catastrophic double capsize put Haywood out of the race and the final placings were: 1st Edwards, 2nd Taylor, 3rd Higson.

After a lunch break the second heat again saw Edwards take a good lead, with the chasing pack of Higson, Pickford and Haywood battling it out for the other places. Haywood again capsized putting him way back from the duo of Higson and Pickford who were having a battle royal with their positions changing on every lap, Haywood managed to close up enough so that on rounding the final gybe mark, a mistake by Higson allowed Haywood through to challenge Pickford on the beat to the line. The placings ending as 1st Edwards, 2nd Haywood, 3rd Pickford.

Having the cup in the bag, Edwards could have sat the last race out, but he was enjoying it so much, he went for the hat trick. He didn't have it all his own way this time as Higson got away off the line, into a good lead with Haywood, Mark Wiltshire (Frampton), Edwards and Taylor all vying for the other placings. Again, a capsize by Haywood (giving him his own hat trick) put him out of contention. Edwards persevered and closed down Higson, but it took him some time before he was able to pass, Higson almost regaining his position on the beat to the line. The race ending with Edwards 1st, Higson 2nd and Taylor 3rd.

After counting the points Edwards was declared the outright winner taking the Clarke Cup a first time for an Evesham sailor for several years, Higson 2nd, and Taylor 3rd. With some of the visitors coming from as far afield as Norfolk and Wiltshire, the conditions and tight competition on the river ensure that the popularity of the Evesham Club remains high.

After the high winds of the Saturday, the club met up on Sunday to compete for the Chelmay Cup in slightly calmer, but just as tricky conditions. The first race had a four way battle between Adam Styles (Lightning), Peter Green (Moth), Team Baylis (Enterprise) & Simon and Zoe Styles (Lark). Each managed to take the lead at some point in the race but eventually Green and Adam Styles opened up a lead to make it a duel for first place, the result being Green first, Adam Styles second and Team Baylis third.

The second race saw Team Baylis take an early lead before being closed down by the rest of the fleet. Styles junior took the initiative and drew away from the rest leaving Green to fight off the challenge of Simon & Zoe. The result; Adam first, Green second, and the now renamed Team Styles in third place. With all to race for and the competition wide open, the third race would provide the outright winner. Adam showed that he wanted the win and went into an immediate lead chased by Green, leaving Teams Baylis and Styles to battle it out for third place. The final outcome of the competition was Adam Styles the new winner of the Chelmay Cup, Green second and Team Baylis third. Pictures available in Photo section.

The forecast winds of 10 to 15 mph didn't arrive at Evesham in time for the sailing last Sunday afternoon but those taking part did enjoy some sunshine and good racing in the slighter winds that prevailed.

Both races programmed were handicaps; the first had a mass start down stream to the windward mark, with Ian Edwards taking advantage of a good start to create a slight lead but being pressed hard by team Baylis. Simon Newman and Norman Drew having their own duel further behind. Team Baylis managed to pass Edwards on the downwind leg, and thus set up a yo-yo race between the two leaders. Perseverance paid off in the end, when after the six laps, Edwards had managed to retake the lead and opened up a gap, finishing first with team Baylis second and Newman third.

The second race was almost a carbon copy of the first but with Clive Edwardes, crewed by his son Oliver, coming into the reckoning for a while until the boats of Edwards and team Baylis again took the lead from Newman, the finish ending in the same order as the first race.

Sunday 30th March 2008

Sunday 23rd March 2008

With a cold and brisk wind blowing from the north, plenty of action was required to keep the participating sailors warm down at the Evesham Sailing Club on Sunday.

Two handicap races were on the programme, the first providing a long beat up river had four different leaders before reaching the windward mark. Adam Styles (Lightning) in his first outing of the season was involved in a three way battle with Peter Green( Moth) and the husband and wife team of Paul & Anne Baylis, (Enterprise), Roger Middleton (Comet), being left out of the running as the leading three soon opened up a lead from the rest of the fleet with Styles showing the way, Green chasing hard, and the Baylis team trying to take the others wind. As the wind dropped towards the end of the race, Green managed to close the gap to take the win on handicap with Styles second and team Baylis third.

The second race started in lessening winds and again was very closely fought to the windward mark, Green pulling out a lead this time, being chased by Styles and team Baylis. The race continued in this order until, in the closing stages, the wind strengthened allowing Styles to catch up and pass Green to cross the line first. Green however still won on handicap with Styles second and team Baylis again bringing up third place.

With bright sunshine and a brisk wind blowing up over the weir, Evesham Sailing Club opened their season at Common Road with a pursuit race.

Simon Newman led away first in his Mirror, followed by Roger Middleton and Clive Edwardes in their Comets, Peter Green in his Moth, the Baylis team in their Enterprise and finally the Styles team in their Lark. After 35 minutes Newman succumbed to the trio of Comets and Moth, with a separate duel developing between the Styles and the Baylises. The Lark made good progress through the fleet, taking advantage of a capsize by Middleton, and then, with five minutes to go, a capsize by Green allowed the Lark to close up and, with ten seconds of the race remaining, the Styles in the Lark caught Green on starboard forcing him to give water and took the win. First Simon & Adam Styles, second Peter Green, and third, Roger Middleton.

The second race, a handicap, was headed by the Lark of the Styles, closely chased  by Green in the Moth with the  Enterprise having problems, being swamped in a near capsize requiring the Baylis crew to do some vigorous bailing in order to keep afloat and effectively putting them out of contention. The race developed into a three way battle, particularly towards the latter end as the wind dropped, leading to a very close finish with Green taking the honours followed by the Styles, and the Baylises coming in a well deserved third after recovering well from their earlier ducking.

 

2007 Sailing Awards

With the new sailing season almost upon them, the members of Evesham Sailing Club gathered at the Beckford Hotel for their annual presentation evening and dinner.

The past seasons competitions provided some thrilling sport which was enjoyed by all, despite the interruptions and damage due to the July floods. The many trophies were won by a wide spread of members, proving that their abilities and competitiveness are improving season after season.

The overall winner was 16yr old Adam Styles who had sailed consistently throughout the year both at club level, and nationally where he retained his title of junior national champion in the Lightning class. The future season will test him now that he is a year older and has to compete on equal terms with his seniors.

The new season commences on the 9th March with members hoping for a better year after the devastating damage to the club in last year's floods. The resolution of the members is to keep a successful and active sailing club in its unique position on the River Avon in the town of Evesham.