Flashback October 29 2012 The End of Season Championship at Draycote water was a bloody chilly affair but it did not put off the 51 competitors who enjoyed three frantic races in fresh winds. The star studded cast included Andy Davis (below), the National champion, Charlie Cumbley, Matt Howard, Micheal Sims, Andy Tunnicliffe, Ian Pinnell and a host of other 'top end' sailors. Kevan Gibb made the long trip down from Scotland and must have felt quite at home in the penal conditions.
Lewin photography
“Sims took a chance up the next beat, knowing that if Davis won the race he would win the event and only winners get to marry the prom queen. unfortunately for him, Cumbley exploited the situation and moved into second by the top of the fourth. Howard was comfortably in fourth position with Ian Pinnell revelling on the downwinds and looking equally at home upwind despite only 67kg approx. Thoughts of the 505 Worlds next year in Barbados must have warmed his soul and strengthened his resolve. Further down the fleet the racing was equally dramatic with Kevan Gibb's mast and shroud, casualties of an almighty capsize on the run, viewed by Davis as he crossed upwind, Andy's eyes widening as the out of control Scotsman careered towards him. Ian Hopwood, aka 'the gybe king' was entertaining us with his amazing balancing skills. In one gybe he first saved his steer as the boom planted itself into the leeward wave, just like Elvstrom, then as the boat heeled violently to windward and with the rudder completely out of the water, he somehow brought her level and went on his merry way like nothing had happened, genius. At the gun it was Davis who held his nerve to take the title with a race to spare.”
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