Chichester Harbour Federation Week Day 2 brings better conditions

by Robert MacDonald on 11 Aug 2010
Chichester Harbour Federation Week day two report.

Course G was selected for Series 1 and 2, giving Series 1 a good beat from Ellanore across the harbour to Rythe East near North Pilsey buoy, and half way along the HISC moorings.

The usual dilemma faced competitors of East head versus Thorney shore and today surprisingly most boats opted for the Thorney shore. However, it was the East Head shore where the biggest gains were to be had. Mike Lennon made light work of the large course in his foiling Moth.

In the Fast Asymmetric the 49er 40, sailed by Johnny Costard and James Yearsley looked to be going well but an unfortunate capsize on the last downwind leg cost them dearly and the winner on corrected was once again Aidan Mitchell in his RS700 followed by Jerry Wales from Queen Mary also in an RS700.

With the slightly lighter wind it was a chance for different classes to lead the way in the Medium Asymmetric fleet, with the two ISO’s of Andrew Gould and Mike Lillywhite (both ESSC) and the K6 of Bill Masterman, (HISC), all benefiting from playing the East Head shore.

The Goulds were first to finish followed by Bill and Miles Odell in the K6 with Mike Lillywhite and crew Mark Riddington just a few seconds behind them. Not far behind another close battle ensued between Nick Peters in the RS100 and this time Tim Garvin in the D-One.

Nick came in just 20 seconds ahead of Tim and these two took first and second on corrected time. Some of the 29ers need to learn to set their alarms a bit earlier!

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The RS400’s had their usual close racing with today’s winners being Bill Tucker and Rob Allen (ESC) despite being pushed hard all the way by Paul and Mark Oakey from Portchester.

Once again, it was the Merlin Rockets who dominated the front end of the Fast Handicap but the lighter airs favoured David and Fiona Sayce, who came home first followed by Graham and Jeremy Williamson, while the Fireballs and Contenders will be praying for stronger wind tomorrow!

The small but competitive Elite fleet appeared tied together by string for much of today’s race, but eventually Elite 1 sailed by Mike Tong, Pete Wareham and Alex Murray broke clear for a convincing win, followed by the team of Roger Vickers daughter Katie and Richard Curties with yesterday’s winners Greg Lamb and Richard Fitzgerald coming in third.

Much place changing took place in the Fifteen fleet. The early leaders were Tessa and Nick Lancaster but Roger and Barbara Palmer were always in contention and eventually came through to record their second win.

The ultra competitive Finn fleet had a classic race, with half the fleet opting for East Head and half opting for Thorney. Simon Petit led the East head charge and he and class stalwart Graeme Macdonald had a good lead over the fleet at the first mark. Tactical knowledge of the harbour allowed Graeme to overhaul Simon and hold on for a convincing win.

The Series 2 fleets were led away by the RS200s and Lasers under a black flag regime. The RS200s were won by Roger and Grace Yeoman (1880) ISC but this has still to impact on Alan and Flavia Roberts (HISC) who lead the fleet by one point from Damon and Cassia Roberts (HISC).

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Colin Smith (HISC) secured a second win in the Lasers, whilst the 420s are leading the medium handicap fleet. Alex Benbow 197630 (Stokes Bay) leads the Radials with two wins, and in the Solo fleet Ian Barnett 4990 (CYC) upset the placings previously dominated by Collins (Locks) and Powles (HISC), although still leaving them leading the fleet.

Series 3 classes enjoyed two races again, although the race officer had to swing the course between races, after a 30 degree wind shift on the course following the first Topper start of race 2.

On the first race The Toppers were dispatched on 3 rounds whilst the slow handicap had only two, and the Optimists reduced down to one round after a general recall, whilst the slow handicap was shortened.

In the Toppers Neil Houston (MRSC) 46216 took first place in both races giving him the slimmest lead over James Cunnison (ESSC), and with both Wood and Osborne hard on their tails.

Elliot Wells (HISC) is establishing a strong lead adding another two wins in his Tera in the Slow handicap, whilst Tom Booker (CYC) won the first of the Oppie races, and Jamie Smith (HISC) the second, leaving Smith two points clear in the lead, overall.

Event website click here

Results click here