Contender Open at Broadstairs Sailing Club
by Peter Giffen 16 Jun 2016 14:33 BST
12 June 2016
Broadstairs Contender Open © Tim Chick
A total of nine boats competed, including five visitors. The wind was kind with the first race starting in a good force three rising through the day to a steady force five for the last two races.
Adrian Smith from Hythe and Saltwood got off to a good start and rounded the first mark ahead of the fleet closely followed by Peter Giffen and Dave Adams from the home club. Peter Noble (Broadstairs) and Chris Boshier (Thorpe) worked their way through the fleet to follow Adrian home in second and third places respectively.
Peter Noble led race two from start to finish, followed initially by Chris Boshier until he capsized and let Adrian and Dave through to finish second and third. Chris recovered to finish fourth.
Race three saw Peter Giffen get away with a port hand flier to lead for the first two legs. He was initially followed by Adrian, who capsized to let Peter Noble and Chris through. Peter Noble rounded the gybe mark tight to squeeze through into the lead. Disaster struck Peter Giffen on the second beat with a jammed mainsheet causing a big swim. Peter Noble held on to win again, followed by Chris Boshier.
Race four saw Peter Giffen on another flier from the pin end, this time on Starboard. He tacked for the mark and crossed the fleet and managed to hold on this time for the whole race, despite extra excitement when Peter Jackson from the Royal Temple yacht club decided to join in with his oversized Contender (a Stimpson 42) and caught the leeward mark on his keel. The race committee had a patrol boat flying M in place before the fleet arrived at that mark and the race was uninterrupted by the mishap. Chris Boshier slowly closed the gap and almost pipped Peter on the line. Peter Noble and Adrian Smith were both in contention for the overall win, so Peter loosely covered Adrian for the first two laps until he capsized at the the last gybe mark and Adrian got away. Adrian recovered to third, followed by Peter Noble in fourth to take the overall prize.
The fleet enjoyed a great days racing with flawless race management by Ted Temple and Doug Spooner on the committee boat.
Overall Results: (top five)
1st Peter Noble (Broadstairs) 4pts
2nd Adrian Smith (Hythe and Saltwood) 6pts
3rd Chris Boshier (Thorpe Bay) 7pts
4th Peter Giffen (Broadstairs) 8pts
5th Dave Adams (Broadstairs) 12pts