Flashback national championship 1993 Ian Mitchell and Jon clarke home in on the top mark at Paignton, it must have been later in the week because I can just make out some black gaffer tape on ian’s port side, the result of a collision a few days earlier.
I had borrowed one of mike barnes solos for the week, the Beckett build 3847 (Top Drive) he still races today and it was in pristine condition. Mike had faith in my boat handling ability so was confident it would come back in perfect condition… Race 2 and with the bay providing champagne conditions I round the top mark first with Mitchell sneaking inside me from the left lay line (ok I was technically Second). We both bare off with Carveth, McMillan, thresher and bond in our wake. I look down to grab my centreboard handle and by the time I look up, Ian has gybed right in front of me, the sound of timber splintering is unmistakeable, a perfect T Bone. We swap a few choice words and after a quick look I carry on, finishing sixth while Ian has to retire. Back on shore and Mitchell is already taping up the Solo bow shaped hole, fortunately the Beckett is largely unscathed. Happy memories.
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