Bosham Sailing Club Junior Week
by Nicky Chapple 14 Aug 2011 21:22 BST
7-12 August 2011
Bosham cadets rise to the blowy conditions
This year’s Bosham Sailing Club Junior Week was one of the best for racing in the last decade, with challenging wind most of the week.
On Sunday, with gusts touching 30 knots, all but the junior fleets raced – many capsized but all came back smiling having overcome very tricky conditions. The Glyn Charles Trophy, traditionally sailed on what is forecast to be the windiest day, was run that day for the lasers and won by Oliver MacFarlane.
On Monday the wind moderated slightly but wind over tide still make the going tough.
Tuesday continued with less wind but still blowing a constant Force 3 or 4, and the waves on Wednesday, reportedly up to a metre high according to some competitors, gave the competitors different challenges.
On Thursday the junior fleets did not race but the other fleets raced up Bosham Channel which presented relatively benign conditions compared to those earlier in the week. In contrast on Friday, many boats were towed out to the start line but enjoyed two races in building winds making an exciting finale to the week.
The fun races every afternoon proved as popular as ever with blind folded mother rowing races, paddle a topper race, 27 race with the combined age of the helm and crew cannot exceed 27, Feva relay race and the parent and child race. Unfortunately the team racing on Thursday was cancelled due to the inclement conditions.
A good time was had by all – both competitors and parents alike – both on the water and the enjoyable social programme in the evenings.
First place results:
420 – Oliver Blanshard & Ben Ross
Junior Mirror – Charlie & William Knottenbelt
Junior Optimist – Dominic Gogarty
Junior Topper – Barnaby Watney
Laser – Oliver MacFarlane
Senior Mirror Gold – Ben Stirrup & Ben Ducan-Duggal
Senior Optimists – Scarlett Manzoni
Senior Toppers – Sophia Harper
Feva – Sophie Hempsell & Ben Heber