The Catapult Bala Gala: Fun racing
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BALA GALA: THE FUN RACING
Bala is always a highlight of the Catapult season, not only for the
racing conditions but also the welcome and hospitality, and the chance
for fun racing. This year the first two were again abundant, including
the Saturday Hog Roast with a Hawaiian Theme to celebrate a combined
50th birthday (Hawaii 5-0, boom-boom.)
The wildly-varying conditions meant that only the Pairs Race went
off as planned, as the opening race of the event--it twins new, irregular, or improving racers with
experienced helms for real-time encouragement and coaching round the
course (the rest of the fleet being paired by executive decision.)
Dermot Mangan, (returning to Catapult sailing and membership after
a long gap) technically fitted the definition, and paired with John
Peperell (a sailing friend from the earlier Catapult days) recovered
from a chapter of accidents hitting John's rig, and took the glittering
prizes. (photo at bottom.)
Behind them came steady returner to Bala, Stan Tobin, paired with Paul
Ellis (photo below)
and new member Rob Baker, taking up Catapult from a windsurfing
background, paired with Syd Gage. Gareth Ede again paired with Damien
Cooney,
with steady improvement (the photographic evidence notwithstanding,
photo below)
The leftovers, Alastair, Nigel and George, swept in first, appropriately
only a few yards apart but did not qualify.
PAIRS RESULTS
1) Dermot Mangan and John
Peperell
2) Stan Tobin and Paul Ellis
3) Damien Cooney and Gareth Ede
4) Rob Baker and Syd Gage
Below:
over-confident
Pairs Race management; Gareth (91) is sure that partner Damien
(244) is following him closely, and so he heads off to prepare the next
mark rounding.) (Photo
Bala CC Race Team)
Below: Pairs Race winners Dermot Mangan
(right) and John Peperell (left) with CCA Chair Alastair
