Streaker Open at Mengeham Rythe Sailing Club

Mengeham Rythe Sailing Club on Hayling Island hosted its Streaker open meeting on 21 September.

Visitors arrived to find grey skies, the tide low and a light breeze, but by the time boats launched at 10-30 the wind had built to force 3 and the tide was well on the flood.

The racing, staged as three back to back races, was held over the Pilsey sands, which with the high spring tides meant the race officer was able to set a large course outside of the main tidal channels.

Butler and Simmons were on the line at the start, with Butler just to windward, but had left enough room for Catt to squeeze through, tack onto port and get clear wind. Catt and Butler crossed tacks a couple of times but it was Catt first at the windward mark, a lead he maintained to the last mark, when Butler, having rounded just behind Catt, edged ahead on the short beat to the finish to win.

In race two Butler and Catt pulled away from the rest of the fleet, with Butler holding off Catt to the finish with Simmons following in third place.

The leaders held the same positions from the start of race three, the longest race of the day and Butler, having got the measure of the conditions, grew his lead to wind by a comfortable margin.

Thanks go to MRSC for organising superb racing on Chichester Harbour.

Overall Results: