The Mirror Class Association was pleased to be invited by Herne Bay Sailing Club to hold the Mirror Southern Area Championship at Herne Bay over the weekend of 13th & 14th May.
The event was one of the qualifiers to find the UK Mirror World Team and so attracted some of the top Mirror Helms in the country.
Saturday saw high winds - force 6 to 7 - which meant that Barne Smith the OOD had to postpone the racing until later in the day when the tide had turned and the sea state had moderated enough for the boats to be launched.
Once on the water the fleet got off to a good start in RACE ONE with the leading boats having mixed fortunes as they fought against the strong winds and large seas. At the finish, the order was Ian and Max Capener first, Dave and Jaemi Anne Gebhard second with Gavin and Nigel Sims third.
The SECOND RACE was sailed in slightly lighter winds but with a falling tide. Once again, it was the Capeners followed by the Gebhards with Guy Wilkins and Richard Wise third.
Sunday saw much improved weather with force 2 to 3 winds. The tide caught many of the helms out at the first wing mark in RACE THREE. The back markers were able to see what was happening to the leaders and learn from their mistakes. At the gun new winners emerged in the shape of Philip Goodwin and Toby Heppell, Wilkins and Wise were second and the Capeners third.
RACE FOUR proved a problem due to the lack of wind and a tide which was taking the fleet to Holland However, the Race Officer arranged for the fleet to be towed back to the starting area to await the wind. As this did not arrive the race had to be cancelled.
Overall results:
1. Ian and Max Capener. Ragley SC.
2. Dave and Jaemi-Anne Gebhard. Derwent Res. SC.
3. Philip Goodwin and Toby Heppell. Brightlingsea SC
First under-19: Goodwin and Heppell.
Editors Note: To date I do not have full results sheets for the Southern Area Championships so I was unable to present the complete lists. Apologies to all concerned.
Editors Note: This article is from Reflections No. 105 Summer 1995, page 9. It has been captured by OCR, so typos & errors are possible.
