2000 Open at Chichester Yacht Club

Weather forecasts for Chichester Yacht Club's annual 2000 Class event could not agree, varying from 7-9 knots to 18-25 knots, but most indicated heavy showers and sunny intervals. That variability was exactly what we got!

The morning saw light breezes from WSW, and Race Officer Nick Colbourne set an upwind-downwind course in Chichester Lake. There were 19 starters for the first race at 12.00 with about 10 knots of breeze, and the crowded line squirted several boats out of the back with very dirty air, while the leaders sped away.

Strong incoming tide together with changing wind direction and strength led to differing strategic decisions. The fleet split to stay out of the current, those going left towards the marina generally gaining over those choosing right, but with many boats meeting at the windward mark. Downwind, again strategy differed, with some reaching across the harbour to gain speed while others chose to go more directly downwind to stay in the tide. As the breeze strengthened, the fleet spread out, and competitors from Weir Wood led all the way round, Rob & Sarah Burridge finishing first, Will Sloper & Katie Burridge second, followed by Miles & Anderley Wade from ASA. Thehe first CYC boat of Pete & Suzy Harrison was 4th with Dell Quay visitors Graham & Lucy Dalton 5th.

The course was realigned and shortened for the second race, which started in 15-20 knots of breeze from the southwest. With a slightly longer line and many keen to make a better start than in the first race, overenthusiasm led to a general recall. The second start got away in a strengthening, gusty and shifting breeze. The lessening tide led to greater spread of boats across the lake, again with a melee at the windward mark. The short reach to the spreader mark saw some struggling to hoist their kites, others waiting to turn the corner.

With the wind now gusting to about 22 knots there were a few capsizes and retirements, and further excitement was added by the solar boat and a large survey catamaran crossing the course. Rob & Sarah Burridge again finished first, followed by Pete & Suzy Harrison and Miles & Anderley Wade. Fourth were Will Sloper & Katie Burridge and fifth again Graham & Lucy Dalton.

A slightly diminished fleet started the third race in ever friskier conditions. With the wind now against the ebbing tide some choppy waves developed, giving wet upwind sailing - but exhilarating planing opportunities downwind. The winners of Races 1 and 2 had to leave early, and new winners were Andrew Sloper & Gemma Burridge from Weir Wood, where inter-family/sibling rivalry is clearly thriving: second were Will Sloper & Katie Burridge. Pete & Suzy Harrison were third, and 4th went to the brilliant Thorney Island family team of dad Matt Sargent & very small daughter Gwen (son Johnny having crewed in the first race). The Wades were 5th, with Chris Brown & Cassie Pollock of Weston SC in 6th.

Overall Results: