There was a disappointing entry of only 7 boats (4 Herons and 3 Mirrors) for the Huddersfield SC Mirror Heron Open, held on Sunday 14 May. Considering the poor weather forecast and the dreadful weather of the previous day, perhaps a low turnout was to be expected. The day not so much dawned as slowly appeared and then occasionally disappeared into the mist and low cloud of the Pennine hills. Visibility was generally poor and the light breeze from the SE never really cleared the low cloud and mist all day. Luckily the heavy downpours of Saturday were absent. Congratulations go to Philip Lund for his efforts in travelling all the way from Nantwich to the event.

The Race Officers had to set up an unorthodox start line due to the unusual wind direction and, with a light but shifting breeze, the helmsmen had to be at their best to make the most of the tricky conditions. The Herons were all Bermudan rigged and were all sailed single-handed. Jim Robison and Philip Lund both had cut-down genoas rather than the standard jib as used by Andrew O’Connor. Jim was sailing an old Heron which has been stored in the roof of a garage for many years and to which he has recently fitted the spars from his younger, but rather leaky, other Heron.

The first race was very closely contested with the lead changing on a regular basis and the wind freshening to a gentle breeze at times. Jim Robison appeared to have a guaranteed first place until the penultimate lap, when he inexplicably sailed for the wrong mark and let in Andrew O’Connor to be the first Heron to cross the line.

The afternoon conditions were much the same as in the morning. In the second race Andrew O’Connor had a good start and was leading but, following an incident at a mark, had to do turns on the second lap and lost the lead. Jim Robison took the lead which he held to win, just ahead of Philip Lund. In the last race Jim Robison led from the start, sailing away from the rest of the fleet, giving him a comfortable win for the event with two firsts and a second.

The Commodore of Huddersfield SC, Duncan Walpole, presented the trophies and prizes, with Ron Harding (Mirror) from the home club responding on behalf of the contestants, thanking in particular the Race Officers and the galley staff. Despite the dismal conditions, a good day’s sailing was enjoyed by both the helms and the spectators.

Andrew O’Connor

General Secretary, Huddersfield SC, Heron 10079