Brass Monkey, 27 December 2008 

An interesting variety of 25 boats ranging from Topper to 49er lined up for the annual Brass Monkey event at Yorkshire Dales. After a general recall the fleet got away cleanly at the second attempt with Matty and James Lyons 49er, Matt Mee / Andy Tunnicliffe's Merlin, Neil Marsden / Ian Dobson's 470 and Neil Ferguson in the Contender all looking good on the first lap. There was pressure from behind and a strong charge from Chris Pickles / Laura Westell (RS200), Jonny and Adam McGovern (RS200), Jonathan Lister and Terry Pressdee (RS 500) led to the corrected results having all seven of these boats within a minute.

After a welcome pie and peas lunch the second race got underway in slightly less breeze and with the reaches now just a shade broader Matt Mee and Andy Tunnicliffe powered away to an impressive win with Keith and Siobhan Escritt not far behind. Chris Pickles and Laura Westell dominated the RS200 part of the fleet, whilst The RS500s and 470 had a tussle all the way round. Initially Lister / Pressdee dominated but as the wind eased for the final long lap Marsden / Dobson sneaked into the lead and Martin / Barbara Smith were snapping at their heels.

Overall consistency paid for Mee / Tunnicliffe with thye Lyons second and Marsden / Dobson third.

Many thanks to the Duty team (Rob Reynolds Jones, Ben Lister) for providing great racing and Maggie Whitehead for running the galley so effectively.

There are some videos of the action here:

49er

470

Merlin

RS 500

RS200

Contender, Vortex