Osprey Open at Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club

A beautiful weekend for the Ospreys on the Isle of Sheppey © Chas Bedford

Four visiting boats joined seven local boats from Sheppey’s rapidly growing Osprey fleet. The visitors travelled from Wilsonian SC, Kielder Water and Jerry Dixon even travelled from Belgium with Hannah, a beautiful blonde, in tow!

Following huge breakfasts, we rigged our boats in no wind and a heavy mist. Eventually the sun broke through, the wind filled in and we made our way to the start area for the first race.

A heavy port bias made a port tack start the obvious choice; it was almost impossible to cross the line on starboard although a few managed it. The start was won by Paul Heather and Jonathon Osgood (1182) who also rounded the windward mark first. On a very tight first reach, most went low, but Rob Shaw and Ian Little (1317) went high and sailed into the lead, which they held for two and half laps. On the final beat Mick Greenland and Scott Atkinson (1322) went left and benefitted from a massive lift, taking the lead which they held to the finish. Rob Shaw and Ian Little finished second, followed by John Shenton and Adam Treadwell (1335) and David Springett and Jerry Dixon (1329). Further down the fleet, in the light and shifty conditions, places changed often and lessons were learnt.

The wind increase slightly for the second race, but remained very shifty. Copying the starboard starters in the first race, most went for a starboard start. Rob Shaw and Ian Little, with 30 seconds to go, sat on the port pin, unhindered. They made a cracking start and led from start to finish with Mick Greenland and Scott Atkinson following hard on their heels to finish second. Further down the fleet racing was close with Chris Saunders and Robin Wilkinson (1336) holding third until a poor kite drop let David Springett and Jerry Dixon through. There were some very close finishes with Chris Saunders and Robin Wilkinson only a second ahead of Paul Heather and Jonathon Osgood. Racing was equally close between Paul Wiseman and Ken Brown (697) finished in sixth place just a second or so ahead of James Bell and Lynne Rochat (555). Brothers Lee Allen and Mark Mahwinney (1183), sailing their recently launched and beautiful Creasey boat, made the most of the glorious sunshine by discarding most of their clothes! They had no trouble passing John Shenton and Adam Treadwell who were “trawling” for their supper at the time. John Beasty and Simon de Jong (529) did well to beat Rob Smith and Zoe Ralph (824) to tenth place having stepped up to an Osprey from a Wayfarer just a few weeks ago.

Sunday started with no wind and a very heavy mist, covering most of the island. With three races scheduled, it was disappointing but understandable that the OOD abandoned racing having waited hours for the mist to clear.

Rob & Ian overall winnersSo with only two races to count, Rob Shaw and Ian Little (Kielder Water) and Mick Greenland and Scott Atkinson (Sheppey) were tied on points. Rob and Ian won the event with the best result in the last race (Rule A8.2). David Springett and Jerry Dixon (Brightlingsea SC) finished third.

Our thanks go to the Isle of Sheppey SC and in particular Dean Abra (OOD), his assistants and the rescue boat crews for staging the event.

Overall Results: