| Team Racing 2003 |
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1st November 2003
Once the 'Cinderella' of the year's events, the inter Fleet Team Race is
now the most hotly contested event of the Chelmarsh calendar.
Against the backdrop of the half completed new clubhouse, history took
place today with new records happening throughout the day.
For the first time ever five teams took part with the appearance, also for
the first time ever, of a Junior Team.
With restrictions on daylight hours the whole event took place in a race
against the clock to complete the event before fading light. An early start
was the order of the day with the first of twelve (yes 12!) races starting
just after 1O.3Oam. Winds were light and after the first race the OOD
restricted each race to just one lap each to ensure all races were
completed on time.
Defending champions, the GPs, opened the event with two straight wins.
The Fireball team had a point to prove as all previous inter Fleet events
had seen them out of all contention. This time, after a defeat by the GPs,
they beat the Laser team. And then the upset of the day- the Juniors
defeated the Lasers. In the next race the GPs beat the Solos and looked
well placed to beat the Lasers making four straight wins and total victory.
However, the Lasers spoilt the party and their defeat of the GPs left
the Fireball team the opportunity of taking on the GPs in the play-offs
for first place. Two wins later the Fireballs were indeed ready to take on the
GPs. The Lasers went on to secure victory over the Solos and then
another upset- those Juniors again, going on to defeat the Solos giving
them the opportunity to compete in the play-offs for 3rd & 4th places.
Sadly, the Solos went without a win putting them into 5th place overall.
The play-off between the Lasers and Juniors saw a fiercely contested race
with the Juniors taking the honours. The final race to determine first and
second places was also a well fought race with final victory going to the
Fireball Team.
For the Fireball Team final victory came after years of disappointment.
The GP Team, defending champions, had to be content with second place
overall. The third place gained by the Junior Team was well deserved, so
look out everyone- where will they come next year? The Lasers were
pushed into fourth place.
This is a 'team event' 1st many ways as those not racing assist by
providing rescue cover and AOD help. My sincere thanks to everyone
for making this event such a great success.
PETER WIDDOWSON
Inter Fleet Race Event OOD
