Plum Duff at Delph Sailing Club

Delph sailing club changed the format of its annual festive event due to the increasing popularity. The event was restricted to club members and invited neighbouring clubs, the event still attracted 40 boats of mixed classes and this year the Plum Duff consisted of three pursuit races.

The previous days gales had lashed the country and safety crews were bolstered in order to deal with the predicted high winds which never really materialised. The first race was started in light winds which suited local Delph sailor John Cronshaw in his solo and claimed first place hotly pursued by visiting sailors Mark Platt, from near neighbours Bolton sailing club, racing a GP 14.

Lunch was enjoyed by all and a new course was set. The second race was a race of two halves with John Cronshaw leading again in the light winds however the second part of the race brought strong squally gusts with the rain lashing down. The GP14, helmed by Mark Platt, took the lead in the changing conditions and was given a real chase by Mathew Sharman in his RS 300 who had sailed through the fleet revelling in the stronger winds; Mark Platt had a strained neck as Sharman closed in on him with minutes to go, however, Platt managed to secure a narrow victory.

The third race had all the makings of being a screamer and several boats decided the warmth of the club house was a more attractive option at this time of the year. The third and final race started with a good wind which soon died away and at the same time significantly changed direction this was truly the lull before the storm that never materialised and those sailors who knew how to work the windshifts took the advantage. The final race was won by Phil Worth who is new to the growing Phantom class at Delph, second was Mark Platt which was enough to secure him the overall victory for the event.
Overall Results: