Shoreham SC Covid-19 Virtual Wednesday Series - Day 1
by Sophie Mackley 10 Apr 2020 11:09 BST
8 April 2020
The Shoreham Sailing Club dinghy park © Sophie Mackley
Shoreham Sailing Club's Covid-19 Virtual Wednesday series started with an entry of 17 boats and was raced in champagne conditions on Sydney Harbour - a far cry from the force 0 reported off the coast of Shoreham, but the sun shone at both venues.
It was a close fought competition between experience, youth and the more tech savvy. Past form bore not relation to your ability to navigate a windward-leward course and hoist and drop sails by jabbing at a keyboard, and the ensuing ineptitude from former National Champions was mostly comical, if a little painful to watch. The race management wasn't to everyone's liking and there were mutterings of a special handicap and later start times for those still working - this was not a valid excuse for failing to read the Notice of Race and was thrown out in the protest room.
Split into two series - one raced in the slower Dayboat racers, and the other in faster boats - there were wins for Richard Harrison, Sophie Mackley, William Warren, Rob Janering and Will Carroll and the leading youth is Reuben Hudson. RS200 sailor Richard currently leads both series' with an unerring level of consistency having made the podium in all bar one race - the time spent training his family is obviously paying off.
Gareth Griffiths, from the club's burgeoning D-zero fleet, holds second place in series 1 with youngster Reuben Hudson in third on count back from Alex Harrison (proving that the family training is paying off for him too!). In the second series, Paul Walker (RS200, Merlin Rocket and Laser sailor) lies in second with Merlin Rocket crewing legend Will Carroll racing his sparkling new pink boat with bold unicorn graphics in third. Special mention should also go to 2.4metre World Champion and Merlin crew Megan Pascoe who made it just in time for the last race to pick up the third spot on the podium.
Tune in next week for the latest update on who will be crowned Shoreham SC Covid-19 Virtual Wednesday champions.