Rowans Open Pursuit at Mengeham Rythe Sailing Club
by Carol Carter 14 Jun 2011 20:52 BST
5 June 2011
David Proctor, Conway Parke, Graeme Macdonald, Anthony Parke, prize winners at the Rowans Open Pursuit © Carol Carter
Mengeham Rythe Sailing Club, Hayling Island, held the annual Rowans Open Pursuit race on 5 June. It was another successful event and despite the entries being low, with only 20 boats taking part compared to 54 in a previous year, the club still managed to raise just over £870 for the Rowans Hospice from the entries, a raffle, tombola, donations, craft stall and afternoon teas.
A brisk strong wind and the threat of showers just before the start of the pursuit race may have affected the entry numbers but those who did take part enjoyed the race with a very close finish.
The wind forecast was for a north easterly, force 4 to 5, and a course was laid accordingly. The first boat to start was Conway Parke sailing in a RS Tera followed by four Toppers in hot pursuit. The wind went light soon after the start but the RS Tera maintained a commanding lead until the last leg when it was overtaken in the final seconds of the 2¼ hour race by Anthony Penfold in the leading Solo and two of the Finns. This was one of the most exciting finishes the club has seen in the twelve years of running the Rowans Pursuit Race.
Overall Results:
1st overall & Traveller Trophy, Anthony Penfold, HISC (Solo)
2nd Traveller Trophy, Nick Peters & Nick Yates, HISC (Flying Fifteen)
MRSC Fast Handicap
1st Graeme Macdonald (Finn)
2nd Anthony Walker (Finn)
3rd Matthew Walker (Finn)
4th Paul & Amanda Phelan (RS500)
MRSC Slow Handicap
1st David Proctor (Solo)
2nd Kim & Tina Stallard (Laser 2000)
3rd Roger Houston (Topper)
Junior Trophy
1st Conway Parke, MRSC (RS Tera)
2nd Niall Houston, MRSC (Topper)