Osprey Inland Championship at Blithfield Sailing Club
by Alan Henderson 24 Apr 2015 11:05 BST
18-19 April 2015
A game of three halves!
Blithfield SC were the hosts for a three day festival of Osprey sailing. It started on Friday 17th April when Jim Hunt from HD Sails ran a superb coaching day. 11 boats were put through a rigorous session of starts, match racing and downwind starts. Jim finished the day with full feedback, reviewing the on water video. The training day was free to association members.
Saturday 18th saw the racing for the Osprey Inland Championships begin in a puffy shifty 15-18 mph breeze. 20 boats took part with 40 year old classics (with carbon updates) competing at the front alongside the latest designs. A trend began with Chris Gould and Nick Broomhall winning all three races. Gareth Caldwell and Jon Gibbons along with Martin Cooney and Peter Frith (in a carbon updated classic) fought for the other podium places. Other helms showing well near the front included Phil Meakin, Mark Weston and Rob Shaw.
A major focus of the weekend was the evening social and Hog Roast, with much chat about the exciting new Mark 5 Osprey, which arrives in January 2016. Builders Hartley Boats have a very healthy order book, so the class is in confident mood looking forward.
Sunday brought much lighter winds and a tighter fleet - but mostly similar protagonists at the front. However Philip Meakin showed that you don't need a second row forward as crew to sail an Osprey fast, by moving up the rankings with his daughter crewing that day. Gould and Broomhall won both races to successfully defend their Championship, with Caldwell and Gibbons second and Cooney/ Frith third.
After two races we returned to shore after another excellent event. A major part of the success is due to OOD Bill Watson and his wonderful race and rescue team afloat, and to the excellent food team ashore. Thanks all!
Next Osprey open meeting is at Mounts Bay on May 2/3. Next class training day is at Castle Cove, on 10 July. For videos of Blithfield training and Inlands, see Sail Osprey Facebook page.
Overall Results:
1. Chris Gould and Nick Broomhall, Blithfield SC, 5pts
2. Gareth Caldwell and Jon Gibbons Blithfield SC, 10pts
3. Martin Cooney and Peter Frith, Poole YC, 11pts
4. Phillip and Bryony Meakin/Chris Dodd, Hamble River SC/ Warsash SC, 18pts 5. 5. Mark Weston and Tim Keighley, West Riding SC, 24pts