Scorpions at the Hoo Freezer, Hoo Ness Yacht Club
by Rob Smith 12 Mar 2008 17:35 AEDT
8-9 March 2008
Storm Johanna held off for just long enough for the Scorpion class to demonstrate its strength at one of the premier southern winter handicap events – The Hoo Freezer.
Even with a couple of self-confessed swims and knockdowns, Janet Gatehouse and Alan Ritchie survived the major warm-up on Saturday to score an impressive 6th with Chris and Keith Swinchatt 8th out of only 17 finishers from the 30 starters. ‘Quite gusty’ was one of the understatements heard.
Sunday’s main race enjoyed the lull before the storm with occasional sun, and moderate to light stuff, all perhaps good news with 72 boats filling the starts.
Out of this lot, John and Jamie Clementson kept their air clear, and retained a mostly comfortable gap before the next Scorp to take an excellent 5th overall (2nd non-trapeze boat). Janet and Alan crept up close enough to sit next in line at 6th on handicap and aswell as Alan probably charming the tea ladies enough to fix the raffle in their favour – they also walked away with Highest placed boat over the two days showing fab consistency.
To finish the brilliant advert for the class, Chris and Keith Swinchatt finished 15th which also gave a big thumbs up for Chipstead by securing the Club Team prize.
Your author and helm contributed well to the Scorp publicity machine, but showed how memory is affected by lack of match practice. We talked about the gate when it had become a finish line – but not the lap before!