Enterprise and Wayfarer open at Dell Quay Sailing Club
by Liz Sagues 24 May 2004 20:27 BST
23 May 2004
The Wayfarer fleet head downwind at the Dell Quay open © Martin Cummings
Seven clubs were represented at Dell Quay SC's 2004 open meeting for Enterprises and Wayfarers - and visitors carried away the prizes.
A steady south westerly sea breeze filled in just before the first starts, a welcome relief to the race officers who had faced a nightmare forecast of variable Force 0. The course gave a good beat down Chichester Harbour and reaches - sometimes with enough wind to set both fleets planing - back towards the club.
Closest competition was in the Enterprises, where everything hinged on the final race. Both Steve Collins and Erica Bishop (Minima YC) and Philip and Hugh Gower (Bewl Valley SC) had a first and a second, but it was Ian and Gill Barnard followed by Mick Kostiw (correct spelling!) and Anthony Butler (both Chipstead SC) who led the fleet into the final lap.
After more place changing, and an unfortunate moment for Gower as he fell out of his boat, Kostiw and Butler crossed the line first. Behind, Collins and Bishop were neck and neck with Ian O'Dell and Tim Richardson (Shoreham YC). The Minima boat's tack for the line took it across just inches ahead, securing the trophy. Gower's second place was well earned, however, with his nine-year-old son the youngest crew on the water. Best of the home club's contenders were Chris Rowsell and Helen Penfold, sixth overall.
No-one could challenge the leading Wayfarer. Nick Philp and John Hartley (Hayling Island SC) were first off the line in each race and opened up unassailable leads every time. Behind, Andrew and William Francis (Bosham SC) had two good second places. But race three saw closer racing in the pack. Dell Quay's Julie and Andrew Rooker took second place, while the Francis team pushed their luck on the finishing line, forcing club colleagues Gerald Cheyne and Rosemary Hanbury, on starboard, to alter course. The erring sailors promptly retired, already sure of second place overall. Third required a protest involving two Dell Quay members to be resolved, before Cheyne and Hanbury were certain of the prizes.
Overall Results:
Enterprise:
1. Steve Collins and Emma Bishop (Minima YC) 3pts
2. Philip and Hugh Gower (Bewl Valley SC) 3pts
3. Mick Kostiw and Anthony Butler (Chipstead SC) 6pts
4. Ian O'Dell and Tim Richardson (Shoreham YC) 7pts
5. Ian and Gill Barnard (Chipstead SC) 7pts
6. Chris Rowsell and Helen Penfold (Dell Quay SC), 8pts
Wayfarers:
1. Nick Philp and John Hartley (Hayling Island SC) 2pts
2. Andrew and William Francis (Bosham SC) 4pts
3. Gerald Cheyne and Rosemary Hanbury (Bosham SC) 6pts
4. Martin and Sarah Greenhalgh (Dell Quay SC) 7pts