Please select your home edition
Edition
Zhik 2024 December

Bournemouth Digital Poole Week 2024 - Day 2

by David Harding 26 Aug 2024 23:06 PDT 25-30 August 2024
previous next

A stunning day of sun, wind and sparkle

After the first day of Poole Week was blown off by winds gusting to well over 30 knots, Monday produced the sort of conditions that showed Poole Harbour at its best: 16-20 knots of breeze from the south-west, combined with almost wall-to-wall sunshine. The tide made sure there was plenty of water, while the wind kicked up some decent waves that added to the fun downwind.

It was a day that produced almost everything the racing sailor could wish for - as long as that included fairly boisterous conditions. Those who favour a touch less breeze will be looking forward to the rest of the week, which looks set to become progressively lighter. But Monday was a day for the fit and fearless. It was all about keeping the boat flat and fast, playing the waves, maintaining clear air and avoiding the holes that surprised a few people, especially in the first race. 'We were fully de-powered and sailing in 20 knots plus,' said one Dart sailor. 'Then we suddenly ran out of pressure. There were some very strange holes in the wind.'

Further up the harbour, starting from the committee boat line in the Top Triangle, the Flying Fifteens and ILCAs enjoyed a breeze that seemed both more consistent and also fresher most of the time. One Flying Fifteen helm estimated the gusts at 26 knots, and the wind readings from nearby Poole Yacht club confirmed that he wasn't far out.

The Fifteens were one fleet in which the favourites came to the fore, with Bob Alexander and Huw Willetts taking two bullets and Richard Whitworth and Trefor Jones pushing them all the way with two 2nds. Having moved into the Fifteens from the Wayfarers only a few years ago, Geof Gibbons and Dave Moy continue their advance and ended the first day of racing in 3rd overall.

In the ILCA 6s, two visitors from Dragon Bay Sailing Club in the Cayman Islands are lying 2nd and 4th. Matt Reid won both races in the ILCA 7s to lead from Alan Davis in 2nd.

Mostly crewed by sailors with a few more years' experience behind them, the Dolphins put on a good show with 10 boats on the water. For the first time in some years they were eclipsed numerically by the Cornish Shrimpers with 16 entries, though not all were sailing on Monday.

Competition in the slower boats is as intense as ever, with notably close racing in the Dolphins and Shrimpers and, as you would expect, in the XODs. Visitors from Itchenor and, this year, five from Lymington as well, have boosted the Poole Week XOD fleet to 25 boats. And it's the visitors who occupy seven of the top eight places. Willie McNeill is flying the flag for the locals, however, leading after the first day and tied on points with last year's winner, John Tremlett from Itchenor.

Good racing was had in the other classes too - the Wayfarers, RS200s, RS400s and the fast and slow handicap.

Whatever their fleet, a lot of sailors came ashore after an exhausting day, ready to down a pint or two and give their aching bodies a rest. The forecast suggests that muscles might not be worked quite so hard for the rest of the week but, as always in sailing, minds certainly will be.

Provisional results on www.pooleweek.org

Photos on www.SailingScenes.com

Related Articles

America's Cup: Italy's five boat Challenge
‘Il Moro di Venezia', a five-boat programme left no stone unturned The transition from colourful and applauded challenges of 1983 and 1987, to Challengers for the XXVIII America's Cup in San Diego, was a pivotal moment in the history of Italy in the competition. Posted on 23 Jul
Admirals Cup: Leader board changes - Day 3
The wind and the leaderboard did the big switcheroo on the third day of racing in the Admirals' Cup The wind and the leaderboard did the big switcheroo on the third day of racing in the 2025 Admirals Cup, but otherwise the rich got richer on the regatta leaderboard. Posted on 23 Jul
Rolex Fastnet Race: Upwind to the Fastnet Rock
The long range forecast for this year's race shows more benign conditions Teams that competed in the last two Rolex Fastnet Races and are returning for this Saturday's special centenary edition will be breathing a sigh of relief looking at the long term forecast. Posted on 23 Jul
Classic Yacht Challenge Series heads to Maine
With Boothbay Harbor and Camden Regattas The summer classic sailing season has taken over the waters of the Gulf of Maine recently, with last weekend's Boothbay Harbor YC Regatta and Shipyard Cup and the upcoming Camden Classics Cup, both events in the CYOA's Classic Yacht Challenge Series. Posted on 23 Jul
Admiral's Cup Inshore Racing Day 2
Beau Geste and Nola rise in shifty Solent showdown Race Four of the Admiral's Cup brought a tactical masterclass in light airs to the Central Solent. PRO Stuart Childerley set a windward leeward course for both classes, 1.6nm for AC1 and a shorter 1.4nm for AC2. Posted on 23 Jul
NYYC International Women's Championship update
The final group of five invited skippers is announced The final group of skippers to be announced for the 2026 New York Yacht Club International Women's Championship radiates enthusiasm for this groundbreaking opportunity in one of the world's most famous sailing cities. Posted on 23 Jul
Admiral's Cup David Maynard Wednesday Gallery
A quieter day on the Solent for the international fleet Wednesday's Admiral's Cup inshore racing in the Solent didn't quite have the wind of yesterday, but David Maynard was out on the water to catch the action in the morning before the wind switched off for a while. Posted on 23 Jul
Sam Goodchild announced as Henri-Lloyd Ambassador
One of Britain's finest offshore racers has chosen the British sailing apparel brand As one of Britain's finest offshore racers, it is fitting that Sam Goodchild has chosen to become an ambassador for British sailing apparel brand, Henri-Lloyd. Posted on 23 Jul
Admiral's Cup Tim Jeffreys Tuesday Photo Gallery
Enjoy getting this close to the action with his shots! Another great gallery of Admiral's Cup photos from Tuesday's inshore racing has arrived in our inbox, this time from Tim Jefferys. Enjoy getting this close to the action with his shots! Posted on 23 Jul
Trimaran SVR-Lazartigue set for Rolex Fastnet Race
Peter Burling joins Tom Laperche and Franck Cammas on record breaking Ultim Skippered by Tom Laperche, the Trimaran SVR-Lazartigue will line up this Saturday, July 26, for the Rolex Fastnet Race - a legendary event the team won in 2023, setting a new race record. Posted on 23 Jul
Armstrong 728x90 - HA Foil Range - BOTTOMSelden 2020 - FOOTERPredictWind - Wave Routing 728x90 BOTTOM