Celebrating 80 years of the XOD at Hamble River Sailing Club
by Jonty Sherwill 21 Jul 2008 10:10 BST
18 July 2008
Celebrating 80 years of XOD sailing at Hamble © Jonty Sherwill
Hamble River Sailing Club hosted a one-day regatta on Friday 18th July to celebrate eighty years of XOD one-design sailing at Hamble. A brisk south-westerly deterred some of the less hardy but with two visitors from Itchenor a fleet of nine boats enjoyed some demanding racing during the five-race no-discard programme.
With at least one local star away at Cork Week it was John Long from Itchenor sailing 'Felix' who dominated the results even if local pundit Nick Brebner in 'Lark' took race one. Brebner finished runner up in the overall points ahead of Hamble's John Butt, crewed by Mike Foster, showing consistent form in his vintage No.10 'IT'. Dr. Tony Wright who was sailing an 'X' for the first time in fifteen years took fourth in 'Kathleen' ahead of Hamish and Diana Wilson in 'Mischief'.
After the racing around eighty past and present XOD sailors had fish and chips at the HRSC clubhouse, with guests including former Captain's Cup winner David Oddie. Veteran skipper of 'Pepper' Gerry Goulding was also celebrating his eightieth birthday so two cakes were cut after the prizes had been presented by Bryony Rogers, widow of the much missed local class stalwart, Ron Rogers.