Bough Beech Sailing Club Icicle 2020 - Overall
by Don Buckle 26 Feb 2020 02:46 PST
5 January - 23 February 2020
Bough Beech Sailing Club Icicle prize winners © Deborah Marks
That a day's sailing was possible, after the previous two weeks being abandoned due to storms, was a relief to the members and more than 30 visitors entered in this eight week event.
Sunday 23rd February promised strong winds easing later in the day. The 1100 start was postponed for 1 hour and although gusts were still over 30 knots some 30 competitors made a start. However some 40 minutes into the race a squall came through with wind speeds in excess of 40 knots, this left within five minutes only 2 boats upright, with the 3 safety RIBs overstretched, the race was abandoned.
After lunch, as predicted, the wind eased to a comfortable 3 and a very reduced number enabled a race to be held.
Overall the Icicle in the clubs 50th year was a great success with over 80 entrants in the two fleet starts. 11 of the 16 races were completed and competition keen to the end. Particular mention should be made of the two young Topper sailors, Joe Warwicker and Hugo Valentine who came second and fourth in the conventional fleet, they were never more than a few boat lengths apart.
The club and their volunteers ran the event with its usual expertise and care,
Overall Results: (top five in each fleet)
Conventional Class
1st John Clementson and Mel Titmus (Chipstead SC) Wayfarer
2nd Joe Warwicker (Bough Beech) Topper
3rd Guy Marks and Sam Pygal (Bough Beech) Wayfarer
4th Hugo Valentine (Chipstead SC) Topper
5th Richard Sharp (Bough Beech) Finn
Asymmetric Class
1st Matt Fowler and Lynne Ratcliffe (Pevensey Bay) RS200
2nd Mick and Sarah Whitmore (Eastbourne Sovereign) RS400
3rd Luke and Heather Boughton (Itchenor SC) 2000
4th Rich Sheridan and Andy Fryer (Bough Beech) RS400
5th Bruce Kidd and Liz Denbigh (Bough Beech) 2000