Comet Association Championships at Bexhill Sailing Club

Fourteen visiting Comets and three Duos joined four Bexhill sailors for the Comet Association Championship, held over two days at Bexhill Sailing Club.

Race Office Clare Day and her team set a course that made the most of what turned out to be very differing wind conditions throughout Saturday afternoon.

The first of the three back-to-back races started with a sedate first lap in a light Force 2 westerly, increasing slightly for the second lap to give very pleasant sailing conditions, easily handled by all competitors. By the third lap the sun was still shining, the wind had veered slightly to a southwesterly, but increased dramatically to Force 5-6. This tested the nerve and skills of many of the sailors and led to some heroic work by the rescue boat crews. Fifteen of the single handers and two Duos completed the first race, won by Stephen Lemmon (168) for the Comets and Stephen Linton (150) for the Duos sailing single-handed.

Conditions were as exacting for Race 2, which only Frank Oliver (27) chose to race for the Duos. Six Comets enjoyed the increasing waves to be led home by Chris Robinson (63) from John Coppenhall (532). Barry O’Herlihy (247) was the only local sailor still representing Bexhill.

Race 3 saw a decreased fleet of just four Comets with Chris Robinson (63) again finding the conditions suited him well, gaining first place, followed by Michael Thompson (549)

Two races were held on Sunday, one morning, one afternoon, with a break ashore, sailed over a triangle – sausage course. The light morning conditions suited Henry Jaggers (800) perfectly who sailed serenely home well ahead of most of the fleet, with Richard Eagleton (580), sailing the dinghy of an ill Bexhill Comet Class member, in second place.

The sun disappeared and the wind increased slightly by the afternoon, to a Force 3-4, sadly dropping back after the squall passed through. Simon Thompson (809) took first place with Richard Eagleton (580) again gaining second place.

Thanks to everyone who helped over the weekend with organising the racing, running the bar, providing the food, and especially the competitors, who travelled from all over the country.

Overall Results:

Comets
1 Chris Robinson (Burghfield)
2 John Windibank (Chipstead)
3 Simon Thompson (Crawley Mariners)
4 John Coppenhall (Hunts SC)
5 Michael Thompson (Crawley Mariners)
6 Barry O’Herlihy (Bexhill SC)
7 Stephen Harvey (Stokes Bay)

Duos
1 Frank Oliver (Hampton Pier)
2 Stephen Linton (Hoarley Lake SC)
3 John Linnell (Cransley SC)