SAMM/MABS contra Cancer Race Day at CAR on 25 September 2011. THE SAILING ASSOCIATION MAR MENOR PRESENTS A CHEQUE FOR 2,500 EUROS TO MABS! (Photos by Mike Prentice – see attached files for the Race Pictures) SAMM presented a cheque for 2,500 Euros to MABS, from the money collected for the SAMM MABS Sponsored Charity Sailing Race held on 25th September 2011. The day began with very little wind but fortunately as start time approached it began to improve. However, the direction was constantly changing between North East and East which presented something of a headache for the race officers who were assisted by Barrie Harding, a professional race officer from Cowes, who came over to help SAMM run the race. Lyn Baines presents the cup to Ole Jan Midttun The Class 1 Race (Cruisers) was won by Norwegian Ole Jan Midttun, fresh from his class wins in the Moraira to Ibiza race where he won both the outward race and the race back to Moraira. “Apex”, his beautifully prepared Benateau First 44.7 made a fantastic start being over the line within 3 seconds of the “gun”. In the light 6 knot breeze he was able to make full use of his big powerful No. 1 Genoa on the windward leg. At the windward mark, set 1 mile North West of Tomas Maestre Marina Ole’s well-drilled crew launched the spinnaker and they were on their way to the gybe mark which was Isla Perdiguera (Sardine Island). In second place in Class 1 was Derek English assisted by John Parker and Graham Wharrad with the Stryder Club catamaran “Hamoor”. It was a brave decision to go for the spinnaker when lightly crewed which bought them a few problems at the gybe mark. But as Derek would say, “that’s racing – you have to go for it”. In a creditable third place was the Benateau Ocianis 36 “Lottie” skippered by Ian Robinson sailing his first ever race and crewed by Rob Hudson and Terry Chapman. Ian, who has not been sailing very long, made a good start, so good that he found himself in the dirty air from “Apex”. Lyn Baines presents the cup to the winners of the Class 2 dingies race The Class 2 Race (Dinghies) started fifteen minutes later and sailed a slightly shortened course with a windward mark at one and a half miles from the start, but then they still had to round Isla Perdiguera and then sail to the finish line off Los Narejos. First away was Alan Hillman sailing a Laser Bahia. A good start was also made by Mick Burgess, puffing away on his cigar, in his little Sea Hopper “Rosita” Within a few minutes of the start disaster struck for one of the favourites to win the class, John Clarke, when the main halyard broke on his normally immaculately prepared Miracle. After the race his crew Doreen Squires said that John was really “gutted” as he was looking forward to pitting himself against Alan Hillman. It should come as no surprise that Alan Hillman, owner and chief instructor of the Pro Vela sailing school in Los Narejos, and his crew, one of his instructors, won the race. Alan has twice been close to getting into the British Olympic sailing team. Though some way behind Alan, Brian Murray sailing the Weta 14 Trimaran should be pleased to have come second as a little more wind would have suited his boat better. His crew was Roger Gee who had also come over from Cowes. Roger had just come second in the very competitive SB3 class in the Island Sailing Club Evening Series. In third place were the ever consistent Ingo Wilson and Vernon O’Byrne sailing the Laser 2000 “Shoestring Tres”. Bearing in mind that it was a very long course for dinghies, the next boats home were remarkably close together with Edd Penning and Heinz Lenhard in the Weta 15, Oakley Petts and crew in the Gamba “Shoestring Uno” followed by Janice Penning and Peter Cadwell in the Laser 13 “Shoestring Cuatro”, Tom and Carl in the Pastanaca “Shoestring Dos” – and only six seconds behind them, Mick Burgess still puffing his cigar! It was a long day for Bob Miles and his 2 safety boat crews, especially as they had long distances to go, to lay the very large buoys. Thanks goes too to Huw and Margaret Jones for bringing round their Moody 30 “Rosie” to use as a committee boat. SAMM would also like to thank everyone who was involved for their help in making this first SAMM Charity Race such a success.
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