International Contender British Championship at Hayling Island Sailing Club - Day 1

Day 1 of the International Contender British Championship at Hayling Island © Peter Hickson

The Contender fleet has landed on Hayling, and they are delighted to have us. 45 entries is unsurprising considering the renewed interest the class had seen since Hartley boats have started to knock hulls out.

With glorious conditions expected the fleet were very early rigging up so was there plenty of time to assist the newcomers to the fleet to rig and tune.

Getting down to brass tacks the racing took place in lovely conditions if not a little patchy, the RO set a line as square as you'd expect for HISC but a knock on the the start gave the advantage to the pin boats, continuing into the race the shifty stuff kept the lead changing, Thomas Hooton establishing a big lead had to fight of seasoned reach specialists Gary Langdown and Graham Scott, he failed. By the end Ol Stu Jones had crept into second behind Graham continuing a battle reminiscent of a the 1998 worlds. Gary was third.

Day 1 of the International Contender British Championship at Hayling Island - photo © Peter Hickson

The second race hinted at more wind but it might just have been a bit more stable. Off the line Si Mussell overcame beard windage to lead and made that count all the way to the windward mark, Pete Noble and Ed Presley took it in turns to lead at different points with the beat making cruel decisions on our behalf. On the last beat Ed had carved a small advantage but a trip along the shoreline allowed Simon to pass and win with Ed second, guess what that ugly green boat of Jones got third.

This all means Jones is leading.

Great day had, writing this in the bar; hoping for more of the same tomorrow. Thanks HISC and Hartleys.

Day 1 of the International Contender British Championship at Hayling Island - photo © Peter Hickson

Results after day 1:

Day 1 of the International Contender British Championship at Hayling Island - photo © Peter Hickson