i14 open at Weston Sailing Club

by i14 Gossip on 19 May 2015 Weston Sailing Club is once again hosting an i14 open. With a vast open race area situated directly in front of the sailing club, it's an ideal venue for both spectators and racers alike. Racing starts at 10:00 each day with 2-3 races a day, sharing with the B14 and Cherub fleets on separate starts. The bar will be open for as long as we're still standing and there has even been talk of venturing into Southampton for a night out for those who are brave enough...

You are welcome to bring your boats down on Friday if you want to avoid an early start.

SI's and NOR to follow soon, price around £30. For more info please email Tom. tsmile13@yahoo.com

The Hoptons Trophy
The annual Hoptons Trophy is held over four races, and must be completed with both the same helm and crew throughout.

Whilst the event was intended to be held outside of the harbour, it seemed that the weather had other ideas. The racing was initially postponed and moved back into the harbour, taking on the traditional windward/leeward format. The fleet eventually launched in 25+ knots, which conveniently dropped off slightly before the start.

Race one began and it became clear that it paid to go left to get out of the tide up the first beat. It was incredibly lumpy at the windward mark, but as the water flattened out, the downwind leg built in speed. Archie had the lead, with Katie, Fitz and Doug battling it out for second place. Fitz overstood the downwind layline, allowing Doug through to take third, but it was short-lived as a slow tack left the door open for Fitz to retake the position.

The battles weren't reserved for the front of the fleet either. The final run saw a close battle between the Pascal brothers, Penman and McDanell. Gybing together to get the inside line, Penman saw an opportunity and 'went big' on the gybe, only to overcorrect and be left swimming out of contention.

Race two had a slightly diminished fleet but the racing remained tight. The windward mark was moved in slightly, causing a number of boats to overstand on the first beat. Archie had managed to pull away in first once again, with Fitz and Doug battling for second. As the tide began to turn, the sea state became particularly lumpy downwind. The fighting was close until kite issues allowed Fitz to secure second place once more.

On Sunday, the fleet relocated to Bracklesham Bay, onto a sausage/triangle course. Unfortunately Katie had suffered breakages so was unable to join the racing, but instead took to the water as a spectator to watch the day's racing unfold. As Archie had changed crew, he was also discounted from the fight for first place. The silverware was now placed between Doug and Fitz, with races three and four to decide the final standings.

Race three began in a shifty southwesterly, causing a real game of snakes and ladders. Archie once again took the lead, followed by Neale Jones, Fitz and Doug. At the leeward mark, the previous day's roles were reserved, with Fitz suffering kite issues which left him in fourth place.

Heading into the final race of the weekend, Doug required a second or better to take the title. However, race four began with the traditional port hand flyer, passing the entire fleet. At the windward mark, the majority of the fleet continued on starboard, whilst Fitzy gybed to go the other way. At the leeward mark, Archie could be found battling it out with Neale for the lead, whilst further kite issues caused a capsize for Fitz, dropping him back to fifth place.

As the wind dropped on the final lap, Archie fell back to third place and Neale claimed the lead, with Doug in second to take the overall win.

First Pamela Douglas Pattison and Mark Tait
Second Smash It Andy Fitzgerland and Rich Dobson
Third George first Archie Massey and Harvey HIllary
Fourth Magma Neale Jones and Ed Fitzgerald