Buzz Open at Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club

Stuart Bailey and Hannah Packman on their way to second overall at the Sheppey Buzz open © Chas Bedford

Fantastic conditions for the Sheppey Buzz open © Chas Bedford

Numbers were down slightly for this event but with such a friendly and hospitable club combined with some fantastic weather, a good weekend was in store for all those that made the journey.

On both days the racing started in some light and shifty winds which gave the OOD some head aches laying the courses, but each time it filled in as the day progressed, to a pleasant 3-4.

Race one started with the fleet split between the right, where the wind was, or the left and in the tide. At the first mark there wasn’t much in it and the racing remained tight through out the remainder of the race. At the finish newcomers Gary and Steven Aitken just managed to hold off Stuart Bailey and Hannah Packman for the win. Third went to John Cass and Julia Brazil pushing Ian Foxwell and Caroline Alexander down to forth by a matter of inchs and John Hewat and Mark Owens taking fifth, less than 40 seconds off of the winners time. It was an indication of how close the racing was going to be.

Race two went the same way with the leading positions unchanged but in race three a good tussle up the first beat between the Aitkin’s and Foxwell and Alexander gave Bailey and Packman a chance to take the lead at the first mark, which they held to the finish.

Day two and the racing was delayed to allow the wind to settle, giving the crews a chance to catch up on their sun bathing. When it did start the fleet went left with Foxwell and Alexander breaking right early and opening up a big lead by the first mark which they would hold to the line. Race five had just about every one leading up the first beat as the wind shifted around. Jeremy Blackman and Zara Brazil almost stole the show after gambling on the right hand lay line only to have the wind switch again at the last minute handing the lead to Bailey and Packman. A good tussle then unfolded at the front but spinnaker problems on lap 2 let the Aitken’s back in and they squeezed back through for their third victory of the meeting.

All to play for then in the final race. With a heavy pin end bias on the line anything could happen and when Foxwell and Alexander misjudged the tide and snagged the mark a lot did. After the chaos had settled it was Foxwell and Alexander that went on to take line honors but retiring and thus handing victory to the forth different winner of the event, Cass and Brazil.

So at the end Gary and Stephen Aitken took the silver ware with Stuart Bailey and Hannah Packman claiming yet another second and third to John Cass and Julia Brazil. Everyone left much browner and quiet content after a great weekend sailing and a big thank you to the team at Sheppey for organizing a such a good event.

Overall Results: