Sponsor's Report by Nik Baker, K-66.com.
Last weekend Hove Lagoon hosted the fifth BSA Slalom event where we were blessed with 12-18 knots of wind and beautiful sunshine.
Of the three categories (pro, amateurs and master blasters) the master blasters completed ten races, the amateurs fourteen and the pro’s completed fifteen rounds, with all very close racing at the top in all classes. The first day’s racing for the pro fleet consisted of six rounds; reigning BSA champion Mat Pearch was joint first with Simon Cofield, where both had gained some 1st and 2nd places with a few mistakes along the way. Sunday morning, the tension was high and the scene was set for a great day's racing for the overall event win. Again, both Mat and Simon gained some 1st and 2nd places with a few mistakes helped along by some weed issues in the afternoon.
Weed issues aside, with some good speed and a string of 2nd places on the Sunday, James Dinsmore took 3rd place, with Simon Cofield coming in 2nd and Mat Pearch, for the third time this year taking first place.
The amateurs did really well to sail and complete fourteen races, as the conditions were fairly tricky and the water choppy, but we had some nice swell and a pretty big thre -buoy downwind slalom course. Steve Jones and Michael George had a close and continuous battle throughout until eventual winner Steve Jones came out on top by one point, which puts him in a good leading position to win the combined Hove and Worthing (end of August) event prize - a year’s subscription to Hove Lagoon.
The master blasters! These guys took control by starting the event off with the first race after the sea breeze kicked in at lunchtime.
After the usual ‘Le Mans’ style beach start, the guys headed out around the firdst buoy and back to the beach with a short run back to the flag. This race is aimed at the first time racer or intermediate who is unsure what level to compete at. After deciding on how confident they are, they can either carry on with this more easy and relaxed style of racing or move on up to the amateur level, racing on the normal course, which is a little more out to sea with a few extra marks. The races took place on the hour, every hour for five hours each day. The eventual winner was young Jack Trollope, who managed to fend off stiff competition, both local and national to win all races. This now puts him in the lead to win the combined first prize for the year's subscription to Hove Lagoon.
This year's pro youth event was again won by Sam Latham and the amateur youth by Christian Body, who also came in 3rd in the overall amateur class. Both these young lads are progressing incredibly well and increased their consistency and race craft over the weekend's racing. With four out of the five events so far completed, they have gained plenty of race experience and we look forward to seeing them out on the water for Round 6 in Hunstanton. So well done to both Sam and Christian.
This coming weekend, Hunstanton sets the scene for the 6th out of the 8 round series for the QSW Thommen / Severne run event. The event is due to run during an awesome local beach festival, with many other sports attending. If the racing at Hove is anything to go by, the BSA at Hunstanton looks to be an awesome couple of days, with plenty of other things to keep you entertained. This is a weekend you really don’t want to miss out on.
We look forward to seeing you all there.
Cheers
Nik Baker
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