Christchurch Sailing Club Juniors and Pirates Week - Day 1
by Richard Beasley 4 Aug 2015 06:36 BST
3-7 August 2015
Christchurch Juniors and Pirates Week day 1 © Richard Beasley
Monday saw the start of the prestigious Christchurch Sailing Club Junior Week, running all week until the 7th August.
With a strong breeze scheduled first thing this morning the race team sat in anticipation on whether the first day was going to take place but with the wind easing the decision went ahead for the 25 competitors aged between 9 to 16 years to go afloat. The sail down to the harbour where the race course was being held was perfect until the sailors got into open waters.
With the Race Office Tony Lock running a practice start for both the Optimist and Topper fleets the day begun in somewhat gusty conditions. The Toppers started first and there was a battle between Harry Gibbs, Archie Tarpey and Ben Cobb as they headed up the first beat. After a few interesting manoeuvres and capsizes Harry managed to win the first Topper race.
After lunch the Toppers ventured out for the second race with the wind a lot lighter and a little shiftier the race began. Sophie Walker had a cracking start and beat until she capsized, allowing Ellis Wakefield, Tim Dyton and Archie to get in front with Harry achieving a second bullet after Ellis clew came detached from his boom. Meanwhile the Oppies where also in off racing with two out of the fleet coming back freshly from the Optimist UK Nationals it was apparent that they were going to be high achievers in the strong breeze. Sam DLF coming first in the first race closely followed by Drew Barnes.
The second race kicked off again after lunch and in the lighter winds the fleet was very close with Sam, Drew, Charlie Lawrence and Abi Hayles rounding the first windward mark close together, however on the reach both Drew and Sam got away. After some tussling up wind Sam managed to expand the gap to get yet another first for the day. With the younger sailors of Christchurch Sailing Club venturing out tomorrow in the clubs Pirates week the 5-10 year olds will be looking forward to an interesting week ahead.