XOD Joan Shaw Memorial Trophy at Itchenor Sailing Club
by David Priscott 16 Sep 2015 21:11 BST
11-12 September 2015
Friday and Saturday saw sixteen XODs compete in the annual competition for the Joan Shaw Memorial Trophy at Itchenor Sailing Club. The conditions on Friday afternoon were perfect for the two scheduled races with a brink easterly breeze.
Race officer Guy Partington set a course with a testing first beat against the strong ebb to Itchenor buoy. Owaissa sailed by Ian and Julie Andrew with Daniel Ayton started low on the line and reached the slacker tide earlier than second and third boats Merlin and Thora who both started high and tussled to the weather mark.
With Owaissa in a clear lead it was Barry Field's Merlin that rounded next but with spinnakers up Ted Roose's Thora, helmed in his absence by David Priscott, kept close order. At the next turning mark Thora made the better rounding and edged ahead as the boats started their next round – a position she maintained to the end of the race.
These three boats also dominated the second race with Owaissa again taking the gun but with Merlin exacting her revenge on Thora. Overnight it was Owaissa in the lead with Merlin and Thora tied for second place.
The breeze veered to the southwest for Saturday's races and maintained its strength. This provided sparkling racing with the XODs revelling in the conditions. Owaissa saved herself for the afternoon. This allowed multiple Captain's Cup winner John Tremlett to steer Lass to first place.
However, it was the battle for second place that attracted most attention. Itchenor's commodore Charles Hyatt was making a guest appearance on Merlin but it was Thora who got the best of the early action. In a decisive find run, Merlin's superior downwind speed saw them edge ahead. Whilst Merlin's place was only fourth it was one better than Thora's and put her into the lead for trophy.
The afternoon's racing was Itchenor keelboat racing at its best with many of the classic fleet in close company enjoying the choppy water thrown up by the wind over tide conditions. The Andrews returned and with Guy Partington, released from race officer duties, replacing Daniel Ayton on Owaissa set about achieving a high enough position to secure the trophy.
After a course that sent the fleet around Chichester Harbour, Owaissa came in third behind Lass and Michael Martell's Astralita; a result good enough to see off the challenge of Merlin and Thora.
Top 3 Results:
1st Owaissa, Ian and Julie Andrew, Daniel Ayton/Guy Partington, 5 points
2nd Merlin, Barry Field, Susie Alexander, Charles Hyatt/Mike Marsdin, 9 points
3rd Thora, David Priscott, Ged Roope, Adrian West/Tony Schofield, 10 points
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