Some 302 competitors out of the 362 registered entries signed afloat on the first day of the 60th Chichester Harbour Race Week at Hayling Island Sailing Club.
At 10am there was very little wind but there was a healthy forecast of a force 3 south westerly due at the scheduled first start time of 10.45 am. As it happens the wind kicked in a little later than forecast with racing underway after a 30 minute postponement. A large 3-lap course took Series A fleets from a start line near Copyhold by East Head to a windward mark near Calvert opposite the lifeboat station at the harbour entrance, a gybe mark near Mill Rythe and leeward mark by Camber. The Series B course was set inside this triangle.
On the first beat against the current the usual route to the East head shore didn’t pay (competitors are advised to read the late and great Roger Palmers article – “when the winner doesn’t pay” and it was mostly those boats looking for the lee bow tide effect between Stocker and the Winner Bank who came out on top. The wind was forecast to increase as the day went on but actually it softened to less than 10 knots at times but eventually picked up as the tail enders finished.
It was a great race day with close racing amongst many of the fleets especially the Flying 15s, Fireballs, Finns and the 2 leading RS400s in the Slow Asymmetric fleet. In the welcome return of a decent fleet of Fifteens, Elite Champion Russell Peters and Zeb Elliot took the gun. In the largest single class entry, the RS 200s, Matt Currell and David Brand (Parkstone SC) claimed 1st place.
On Series B the large mixed Medium Handicap fleet saw Tom Morris, sailing his Europe, claim victory on corrected time whilst in the 25 strong Aero 5 fleet Debbie Caldwell (HISC) pipped Charlotte Hitchmough (Bowmoor) to the gun.
After a short postponement, Series C’s week got under way with Tera OCS boats having to return, and the fleet spreading out quickly from the off in the steady 10 knot breeze, whilst the Oppi fleet kept in close company all around the course. Teras Lauren Buckel (MRSC) and Henry Hightman (HISC) swapped places each lap. The Oppi fleet, following behind, kept close on the first lap before the leaders, Ian Coward (HISC) and Robby Mayo, were able to slip away.
Race 2 in the Teras saw a perfect start by Ella Gardiner(ESC) hitting the line at speed on the gun, taking the high line above the fleet and in clear air was away, extending a significant lead to the finish. In the Oppi fleet Robby Mayo (Lymington Town), at the front again, added a 1st to his 2nd from race 1, with Zoe Bradshaw (Emsworth SC) coming through in a good 2nd. A great start to the week’s racing.
Tomorrow’s forecast suggests there will be more wind for the competitors.
Robert Macdonald PRO
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