SAILING
BRADING HAVEN YC
THE second race of the club’s frostbite series lived up to its name on Sunday.
Although a clear and sunny day, ice had to be removed from boat covers and the Force 2 wind from the north was distinctly wintry, but this did not deter 17 boats taking to the start lines.
In the fast handicap, Jonathan Hoare and John Carter were so keen they both took out their respective Wayfarers singlehanded. It was not long before Hoare was in contention for the lead against Roger Herbert and Simon Cooper.
In the end, Hoare managed to break away from Herbert to take the gun by over a minute however on handicap, he had to concede to Herbert, with Davies moving up from fourth to third.
The slow handicap race was dominated by cadets Emile and Josh, with the two leading a fleet of Scows (Anne Barlow, David Earee and Barry Dyer).
Josh managed to pull away from Emile and Barry Dyer placed some clear water between himself and the chasing Scows to finish in this order, however the two cadets had to be content with seventh and eighth handicap leaving Dyer to take the gold from Earee and Barlow.
GURNARD SC
Sunday’s sunny weather flattered to deceive in Gurnard Bay, with a wind that took a long time to build enough to overcome the ebbing tide.
The cats found just enough breeze inshore to reach the first mark, led round by Mike Martin. However, holes in the fitful wind stalled the fleet on the next upwind leg and most retired, with only Blenkinsop and Wyeth patiently waiting for more pressure to take them to the finish in that order.
Other fleets were turned inside out by the tricky wind, with Graham Deegan’s early lead in the RS400s swallowed up in a hole as Paul Bowen and Chris Symons sailed past.
Similarly, pace setter Mark Harrison was passed by Barry Watkin in the medium group, with Steve Kimpton taking his turn to lead at the finish.
The slow group struggled to start at all, but just made it inside the allowed time, with Ted Blowers’ Laser 4.7 having the legs to eventually take the win.
BEMBRIDGE SC
Despite fine weather, there was a disappointing turn-out for the weekend’s sailing, although five Illusion helms much enjoyed the skills and drills session on Saturday morning that was run by RYA Racing Coach Julian Pearson.
This is the second year that Julian has made it over to Bembridge on the back of some RYA adult participation funding.
It was much appreciated, and thanks went to race officer Philip James.
Nine boats joined in Sunday’s practice racing. Mike Samuelson ran four single lap races and finished with two slightly longer ones. Although results probably will not count for the season’s trophies, Edmund Peel took podium position ahead of James Meaning with Julia Bailey third.
YARMOUTH SC
Conditions were again ideal on Saturday for the third race in the October series.
Unfortunately, only two Picos came to the line in the handicap class with Alex Gallimore gaining a resounding victory over Tim Lee.
There were again 12 entrants in the Scows, with Roger P-E and Chris Parsloe making the running and Graeme Bowen hard on their heels. In the end, Roger pulled away with Graeme pipping Chris on the last leg.
Sunday morning’s light northerly breeze made for slow progress and in the handicap class Alex’s Pico and Ian North’s Mirror tied for first place on corrected time with Tim third.
In the Scows, a shortened course was announced mid way through the race, with Mike Sheaf working his way through the field to win, with early leader Graeme second and Chris Jones third.
ROYAL VICTORIA YC
In light winds, the club held the first event of its Frostbite series on Sunday.
In the cruiser fleet, Super Seals dominated with Hilary Martin’s Lesa winning from Chris Turner’s Elsa with Pendragon (Mark Weeks) in third.
Ten Squibs dealt with strong tides and a light shifting northerly. David Longford and Angie White made the best start from the pin end, but went back thinking they had been over, allowing Panther III (the Downers) a clean break. They held on to lead all the way around, while Kev and Marney Gibson moved from sixth to second, with the Primestocks in third with Lizz Whizz.
In the fast dinghies, Luke Sheridan was crewing aboard an RS 400 with his father, Steve, and Chris Andrews. It wasn’t to be their day though as the Derek Stroud and Paul Griffiths used the conditions to their advantage to post a handsome margin over Neil Griffiths and Mark Turner’s RS 400.
Laser sailors are using the series as a training and selection event for the Island Games squad next year and it was great to welcome Adam Coventry to the fray. Jim McMillan and Richard Talbot showed their class, with George Downer completing the podium.
In the Optimists, the familiar top three finishers-Tom, Harry and Charlie White took the podium.
The club wished Optimist racer Isaac Leal a speedy recovery.