International 14 Gallon Trophy at Itchenor Sailing Club

The annual Gallon Trophy was much anticipated. Who would win the chance to fill the Gallon jug for the rest of us to put away? Who would win the most valuable 14 trophy (even heavier in silver than the PoW Trophy).

The forecast was for 17-20 knots, so there was some nervousness about leaving the confines of the harbour. However, a true Gallon consists of four laps outside the harbour, followed by a sleigh ride through the summer congestion of the harbour, firing up towards Emsworth, before about turning and heading for the Gallon line at Itchenor.

So thank god the race officer saw reason, and luckily the wind dropped below 20, and we all headed out. Even Charlie Duchesne made the start, timing his arrival perfectly with the start gun.

By the time we started, the wind was around 10 to 16 knots, and flicking between NW and WSW with a strong tide against. A good challenge, worthy of Ben Ainslie just down the coast.

Douglas Pattison was first to bang the in-shore route, but came back early before a huge righty came in, leaving Katie Nurton to hit it hardest, then Archie Massey, then Glen Truswell and finally Fitzy (Andy FitzGerald). We all over-stood, with Fitzy nailing the lay line and rounding first.

Down the first run, Glen gybed off to clear his air from Fitzy and Archie shortly following. Showing customary speed, Glen pulled out 50 yards on the run. The top three distanced themselves on the remainder of the fleet. After the bottom mark, Archie soon tacked off to stay in the right-hander, leading Fitzy back left, before taking a 40 degree shift back, allowing him to draw level with Glen. That was 'almost' the last time Glen was challenged.

Meanwhile two of POW's big protagonists were having slow days: one in 'Pamela' admitting to forgetting to pull the outhaul on, and the other in 'Roxanne' allegedly playing with the rig mid-week. Andy and Tom Partington, who were so dominant the weekend before, didn't feature until the close.

After completing four laps in the bay, it was time to head in, except for two nameless boats that misread a 4 for an 8!

Glen Truswell entered the harbour nervously as we came back an hour after low tide. Archie was 150 yards behind until a lull dumped him in to windward under Hayling. Shortly later, whilst coming back from Emsworth (Archie crossing his fingers) and crew Sam Pascoe screeched at Glen to drop the kite. Glen hit the Stocker sandbank near Hayling.

Luckily Sam had has his way and they hit mid-drop whilst down on pace. After walking off the sand, they continued on their merry way, boat undamaged, in a testament to Glen's structural engineering.

Further back, Douglas Pattison showed that zero rocker boats fly downhill, and pulled through from 9th to 5th in the harbour. Andy Peake and Graeme Oliver were so close to their first podium, but got passed by the late charging Partingtons.

The Gallon party was celebrated as though Sunday would be blown off, and Glen and Sam proved an inflatable kid's duck boat doesn't hold two 14 sailors out on the harbour.

Overall Results: