Shearwater Open at Hastings & St Leonards Sailing Club

The fourth event in the Shearwater Travellers Tropy Series for 2007 was held at Hastings & St. Leonards Sailing Club, over the weekend of 21-22 July.

Competitors were met with an impressive swell following a week of strong south westerly winds. Although a degree of skill would ordinarily be required to exit the beach without mishap, a large party of the Sailing Clubs' members positioned in the surf, allowed for even the most feint hearted to be dispatched without incident.

Because of the swell and Force 4-5 south westerly wind, the Race officer decided it would be prudent to manage the racing from the Club house. The first race commenced with an uncluttered start line and local sailors G & A Wilcox - "Foreigner" and M & M Greenhill - "Sheargold" first away, followed by D & G Williams - "UFO" and S.Allen & A. Tindale - "Take5". A.Howland & J.Allen - "Alley Cat" leading the pack in close pursuit. "Foreigner" revelling in the windy conditions maintained a lead through out, eventually being unsuccessfully challenged by "Take5", and securing first place.

The second race was quickly started, and once again "Foreigner" was first away and surfing through the swell, closely followed by "Take5". These two continued to battle in close proximity through out the race. The pack was once again led by "UFO" but challenged by "Alley Cat", and B.Duck & C.Foreman - "New Flame" and N & S Stuart - "Simsek". The order changed little in the challenging conditions, and despite the wind strength and swell all remained upright, with "Foreigner" taking the Gun in close company with "Take5".

Sunday brought little change to the "adrenalin pumping" conditions, the first race being started without incident. "Take5" took an early and commanding lead by the first windward mark, and exploiting the off-wind surfing conditions to consolidate the position. "Alley Cat" lead the pack, closely challenged by "Simsek" and "UFO", breaking waves having temporarily removed "Foreigners" crew, the processes of recovery and inevitable delay consigning "Foreigner" to the minor places.

Race four brought only a slight diminuation in wind strength, and "Take5" again in an early lead, one that was eroded by "Alley Cat" on the down-wind legs. Timely spinnaker recovery facilitating a faster turn onto the last beat, and subsequently the lead and Gun. "UFO" and "New Flame" led the pack, "Foreigner" once again falling victim to waves breaking overboard, and temporarily removing crew members.

The fifth and final race, in increasing wind saw "Foreigner" quickly away. The crew compromising little on boat speed despite the conditions. The latter approach afforded them an early and commanding lead, despite continual and often close quarter challenges from "Take5". "UFO" led the pack, displaying equal bravado on the reaches using spinnaker despite the narrow angle and impressive swell. A policy adopted with equal gusto by "Simsek" and "New Flame". Despite some seriously close calls, all kept their masts in the air and centreboards in the water, despite natures best attempts to achieve the contrary. "Foreigner" eventually took the Gun after a neck and neck final three sail run with "Take5", who took overall points for the weekend.

Overall Results: