505 UK Euro Cup at Hayling Island Sailing Club - Overall

505 UK Euro Cup 2019 © Peter Hickson

Day 1 of the UK Euro Cup at Hayling Island delivered classic big wave, big wind conditions for the high quality 505 fleet with visitors from Denmark, Germany, France, Belgium and USA. Westerly winds of 22kts gusting 27 at times produced steep seas and the challenging conditions that 505s revel in.

Multiple world champions Mike Holt and Carl Smit from California delivered a master class of heavy weather sailing: their upwind speed was unmatched and although pushed hard by current European and UK National Champions Roger Gilbert and Ben McGrane they scored two convincing bullets to lead overnight. Behind them the racing was close with positions swapping throughout the fleet.

After sailing the fleet rallied together to help those with gear failure make repairs or find replacements to get them on the water tomorrow. We held an open forum with three of the top teams sharing their secrets on boat set up and techniques to manage the challenging conditions, answering questions and providing ideas for all abilities.

505 UK Euro Cup 2019 - photo © Peter Hickson

On Day 2 we were tested with a 6-12kt northerly giving very unstable and shifty conditions in Hayling Bay. Olympians Paul Brotherton and Alain Sign showed us how to do it with a 1,1,2 to make a significant move up the leader board with Roger Gilbert and Ben McGrane hot on their heels. The big pressure changes and 40 degree shifts made for high stress sailing. Gains and losses could be huge and if you thought you had nailed it the chances were the other side would pay.

After three difficult races the fleet retired ashore to pick apart the days racing. To continue the open information sharing we held a packed out debrief with the top sailors sharing their tips and strategy and trying to de-mystify the challenging conditions. To round off the day, Hayling Island Sailing Club hosted the fleet for a delicious curry night.

505 UK Euro Cup 2019 - photo © Peter Hickson

Day 3 was bright and sunny with an indecisive light offshore northerly wind that just could not make up its mind meant a few false starts and postponements from the expert race team before we got under way in these most testing of conditions. Once again Paul Brotherton and Alain Sign showed their pedigree by barely putting a foot wrong with a 2,1. Four time Fireball World Champ Tom Gillard and Geoff Edwards won the other race with some superb downwind sailing.

In the end consistency told with Roger Gilbert and Ben McGrane deservedly winning overall from Paul Brotherton/Alain Sign with Penny & Russell Clark in third.

Full event results can be found here

505 UK Euro Cup 2019 - photo © Peter Hickson

After the event we caught up with top 49er sailor Alain Sign to ask him about his first experience racing a 505:

"It was great to get back racing as for the last two years I have been watching it from a rib coaching. It was my first time in a 505, I was a little overwhelmed with the amount of string, coming from a 49er where I only get to pull six bits of string. To be racing around with European, World Champions and Olympians was great privilege.

I had to learn on the fly at the weekend as I had never really used a symmetrical pole before but was amazed in the 505 how many options you had going downwind which meant for some interesting tactical decisions.

All in all I loved the boat from the technical aspect and how much you can change a set up, to the onshore where everyone is keen to help each other develop. If I get the chance to sail the boat again I will definitely be back."

Overall Results:

505 UK Euro Cup 2019 - photo © Peter Hickson

505 UK Euro Cup 2019 - photo © Peter Hickson