Kestrel South Western Championship at Calshot Sailing Club

With a late start time of 2pm on Saturday a relaxed feeling was over the fleet as they rigged their boats during the morning, with exception of 1551-Liam Pike & Al Luxford who for the second year running arrived just after the start of the first race.

The start of the first race saw the fleet spread along the line with 1561-Richard & Mark Hartley and 1511-Steve & Lin Worf fighting for windward position, this led to them both being over the line and having to return back over the line, unfortunately 1561 did not dip back far enough resulting in a disqualification at the end of the race. In the meantime 1562-Henry & Chris Richards led at the first mark from 1574-Dave Hearsum & Garth Fay, hot on their heals was the recovering 1561. By the third mark, which was a spinnaker run, 1574 and 1561 had managed to overtake 1563, and saw 1511 catching 1544, Kevin Edwins & Kevin Jones with both overtaking 1573-Rod & Jen Brown Lee who had a problem with their spinnaker. 1553-Ian Rintoul & Richard Anthony managing to hold off 1511 to take fourth on the water, advanced to third with 1561 being disqualified.

The second race saw the fleet bunching at the pin end of the line, the tide had turned putting everyone close to the line at the start gun. After the first beat 1561 led from 1551 followed by 1562 third, 1544 fourth and the other three rounding the buoy line a stern, after much changing of places behind the leading trio and 1553 testing the water temperature, 1561 took first place with 1551 second and 1562 third.

After racing – and with the sun still shining – the usual BBQ and liquid refreshments took place long into the evening.

When everyone surfaced on the Sunday morning the sun was shining but the wind was blowing hard and gusting to a force 7 making a very choppy sea. After much deliberation the race officer decided to cancel the days racing as there was no chance of the weather improving.

Both races on the Saturday had to be used to give a result.

Overall Results:

1st 1562, Henry & Chris Richards (Goldhanger S.C.)
2nd 1561, Richard & Mark Hartley (Carsington S.C.)
3rd 1511, Steve & Lin Worf (Calshot S.C.)
4th 1574, Dave Hearsum & Garth Fay (Hickling Broad S.C.)
5th 1553, Ian Rintoul & Richard Anthony (Broxbourne S.C.)
5th 1551, Liam Pike & Al Luxford (Lakeside S.C.)
7th 1544, Kevin Edwins & Kevin Jones (Stewartby Water S.C.)
7th 1573, Rod & Jen Brown Lee (Goldhanger S.C.)

Many thanks to Calshot S. C. for donating 4 bottles of wine to add to the prizes.

Good wishes for a speedy recovery to Dave Hearsum who was taken ill and hospitalised on the Saturday. Take care Dave we want you back on the water as soon as possible.