Some 240 boats signed out to race of total entry of some 300 boats entered for Chichester Harbour Race Week.
A fleet racing got underway right on time, helped by a cooperative early breeze. As the first sequence began, however, a notable wind shift kept competitors and the race team on their toes. Wind speeds held between 5 and 12 knots throughout the day, enough to keep boats moving without shaking the relaxed summer mood. In the fast handicap start, an unexpected audience appeared , a pair of curious harbour seals surfaced to watch proceedings. Clearly, they hadn’t read the Sailing Instructions and swam straight past the green boundary mark to get a closer look at the start line.
Rounding the windward mark, the harbour burst into colour as spinnakers filled the sky, a patchwork of reds, blues, and golds billowing under a bright blue summer sky. With the water at a comfortable 20°C and spring tides running, sailors enjoyed shifty conditions and competitive racing. Another shift later in the race kept tactics interesting, rewarding those who spotted it early.
In the 23 strong Fast H’cap fleet the Robert Gullan and Rob Ashman in their 505 took 1st place ahead of the another 505 Miles Odell and Andrew Street, both form HISC, on corrected time. In the RS 200, the largest fleet, Paul and Suzie Hammet took line honours ahead of Frances Partington and Chris O’Neil
With the hot weather the breeze was a teasing one and Series B comprising some 8 events and encompasses those in their 70’s to youngsters barely in their teens. The medium handicap, always a pundits graveyard, was dominated by fast off wind excellency from a National 12. sailed by Graham and Felix Camm from Burghfield, who won on corrected time. The RS Areo series, the 7,6 and 5 all provided very close racing with several boat lengths spreading 3 or 4 places. In the In the 5s, the largest of the three, Jo Hewitson took line honours ahead of Carol Fiddaman. Despite close competition Ian Barnet from CYC took the gun in the Solo class.
On series C the fickle breeze started the week with; race 1 start abandoned whilst in sequence due to a large wind shift. Once reset crews were away, happy in the light airs, lots of banter between themselves with one amusing comment overhead, ‘I didn’t expect to be leading, what’s the course’? Concentration and knowing the course was a key point for 3 competitors, who missed the gate! A reset of the course for race 2 as the wind settled, with very close racing at the front of the fleet, the top 3 only seconds apart. Richard Hewitt (HISC) leads with a first and third place, ahead of Archie Hillam from Bowmoor with a fourth and first place.
Tomorrow club captains have to enter their teams for the Team Trophies before racing but whether the fickle breeze of today will give a good indication remains open.
Robert Macdonald
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