Brass Monkey Series

The decision has been made to cancel the last day of the Brass Monkey series on Sunday 22nd Feb. It had been hoped that it would be possible to run both club racing and the Phantom open but due to an engine fault and the latest wind forecast it has been decided to cancel the last day of the series.

Click on the link to read last week's report.

2009 NORTHERN BRASS MONKEY SERIES

WEEK 7

After an ice-bound lake prevented sailing last week, there was still work for the race officer to do, breaking up the last remnants of floating ice before a start could be made on week 7 of West Riding SC's Northern Brass Monkey Series, held on 15^th February.

A frisky westerly and warmer temperatures than for some time gave a great day's sailing, and saw the return of the home club's Tim Keighley to dominate proceedings with wins in both the back-to-back races, to add to his two earlier wins in the series.

Five Lasers filled the front of the fleet on the water in the first race, with only Mike Woodhead's Finn having the speed to get in amongst them. Keighley was quickly into his stride and led round from Matt Velamail, Woodhead's Finn and Adrian Thear, Brian Goodwin and David Hunt all in Lasers. Keighley gradually stretched his lead on Velamail, who did likewise on Woodhead. Keighley won comfortably on handicap from Velamail with Howard Frear's Solo, 7^th on the water, but doing enough to take third place on handicap. Woodhead had to settle for fourth ahead of the Lasers of Thear and Goodwin.

Damage to boats and fatigue reduced the numbers for the second start. Keighley, Woodhead and Velamail soon pulled away from the rest of the fleet and enjoyed a close tussle throughout the race. Keighley edged ahead to win by 20 seconds from Woodhead and Velamail, with the handicap positions reflecting this order. Goodwin's Laser was next up ahead of Frear's Solo, but the order was reversed on handicap, with Dave Baxter's Vago some way back in 6^th place.

This year's Northern Brass Monkey comes to a conclusion next weekend with the final two races of the series. With a maximum of six results to count from the reduced number of races due to adverse weather conditions, all is to play for with race wins so far for Tim Keighley's Laser (4), John Gledhill's Solo (3), James Porter's Solo (2), and Owyn Wallace's Laser (1)