Hartley Classes and Comet Open at Sutton Bingham Sailing Club

Wanderers during the Sutton Bingham SC Hartley Open © SBSC

Sunday 13th April saw sailors from across the South converge on Sutton Bingham reservoir to compete in this annual event open to all Comets and any boat built by Hartley Boats. The event also formed part of the Supernova, Wanderer and Comet open meeting calendars.

Blessed with wonderful spring weather the event saw a total of 35 boats taking part. The format of the day was 3 handicap races (2 to count) with 2 starts separating the single handers from the two handed boats and corrected times then being calculated and fleet placings been extracted for the Waderer, Comet and Supernova traveller series.

In addition to running 2 starts the conditions also posed challenges to the Race Officers and competitors with very light, shifting winds making it difficult to both set and sail the course; several competitors fell foul of some terrible shifts close to the top mark with multiple places changing hands as a result. Eddie Pope of the Comet fleet handled the conditions best of all and took an early lead in the event, spending the lunchtime break at the head of the overall fleet.

Some lunch time wind shifts which saw slightly increased and more westerly winds lead to a course change giving a beat across the full top section of the T-shaped lake. Despite some excellent opportunities to fly a spinnaker this one seemed to suit the Supernovas with the top 3 places in race 2 all going to this class.

Race 3 was sailed on the same course but with an additional lap to take full advantage of the lovely afternoon. Once again the supernovas managed to use the conditions to best advantage with multiple gybes on a very shifty downwind leg (not so much fun with a spinnaker!).

Whilst everyone packed up the boats, enjoyed tea and cake in the clubhouse the race officer and his assistant crunched the numbers to provide a final event result.

Wanderers (5 entries)
1st 1038, Tim and Max Robertson, SBSC
2nd 1541, Philip and Jill Meadowcroft, Salcombe YC
3rd 318, David Davies and Roly Hinkley

Supernova (11 entries)
1st 1047, Paul Earushaw, Haversham SC
2nd 1034, Mike Gibson, Batley SC
3rd 38, Gavin Young, Cotswolds SC

Comet (10 entries)
1st 804, Eddie Pope, Ogston SC
2nd 869, Bob Dodds, CMYC
3rd 800, Henry Jaggers, Beer SC

Handicap General Fleet (9 entries)
1st Scott Bonner and Lynn Harland, Comet Trio 384, Durleigh SC
2nd Steve and Lin Worf, Kestrel 1545, Calshott SC
3rd Mike Burke and Lou Hart, Kestrel 1594, SBSC