Icicle Series at Highcliffe Sailing Club - Day 2
by Stephanie McCormick 28 Jan 2015 11:26 GMT
25 January 2015
With racing due to commence at 11.00am, competitors arriving at 10.00am were dismayed to find the harbour glassy smooth, with just 5 knots of wind. However, patience is a virtue and the weather gods were on our side. The light breeze soon filled in nicely to a respectable 11 - 12 knots by the time the five minute hooter sounded.
Our esteemed, and I quote; 'world renowned race officer', ahem, Paul Walker, together with the race team, set a trapezoid course, starting directly in front of the club.
Race 1 started bang on schedule and spectators were treated to the marvellous sight of 32 boats streaming past the quayside on a reaching start.
Immediately the larger Finns pulled away and talented Jack Arnell from Christchurch Sailing Club quickly identified himself as the dominating force. Simon Moss, Keyhaven, was shadowing closely and the 2 Finns were starting the beat from Hengistbury Head spit whilst the back of the pack were still reaching for the first mark.
As the pack continued to spread and fill the harbour, Arnell and Moss were joined by another Keyhaven Finn, Roddy Steel. Highcliffe's Steve Waite, Solo and Alan Tarrant Laser were leading the next group.
Arnell did not waiver and held the lead throughout the first race finishing first but missed out on first place as Keyhaven's Simon Moss, crossing second, beat Arnell with a marginal difference in handicap.
At the start of the second race the reaching start caused some argy bargy with a lot of shouting from the pack and some penalty turns. Again Arnell pushed through the melee to take the lead, but this time his fellow club member Ray New was fighting to close the gap. However, it was double trouble when the Keyhaven duo of Moss and Steel joined the leading group. Despite chasing hard, this time no one could touch Arnell, and he sailed over the line victorious. Moss and Steel took second and third.
A special mention to Lauren Rogers, a young Highclifffe Sailor, the only under 18 in the race and holding her own in a very competitive field.
With Rusden absent and with several new entries the overall results see Highcliffe pushed out and 3 Keyhaven sailors in the top 5.
Day 2 Results:
1st Simon Moss (Keyhaven)
2nd Roddy Steel (Keyhaven)
3rd Ray New (Christchurch)
4th Alan Dalziel (Mudeford)
5th Steve Wood (Keyhaven)
Full results available here.
This popular open series continues on Sunday 8th February starting at 11.00 am. Non members are welcome to join the race with a token fee of £1.00 per boat.
If you aren't a winter sailor, it's worth coming down to watch, the race is run from the clubhouse and 30+ boats in the harbour is quite a sight, plus you can warm up afterwards in the Bar.