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Craftinsure 2012

Craftinsure Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller at Chichester Yacht Club

by Graham Williamson 28 Mar 2012 12:15 BST 24 March 2012

Spring at Chichester Harbour: a beautiful day in a beautiful place. Nick Colborne, PRO, is concerned at how slowly the spring tide is filling Chichester Lake; the high pressure of the last few days has kept the water level down – 10mm per millibar. We are educated....

Nature takes its course, and with only a short delay to ensure water across the whole course Race One begins in a gentle Eastish breeze. Three boats quickly form a breakaway group; ‘Faithless’ Richard Whitworth & Sarah, the Monkey Business boys Si Blake & Alex Jackson and Matt Biggs & Ben Hollis in Stealth. Snakes & ladders ensue when Monkey Business takes the lead and Stealth & Faithless swap places before settling on Blake 1, Whitworth 2 and Biggs 3. The following pack is lead by ‘Miss Aigletinger’ (David & Fiona Sayce) ahead of plenty of other Merlin Rocket names.

Race Two: breeze is building slightly with the rising tide. The Monkey Business boys again hit the front at the first mark ahead of the White Saucererer Nick Craig & James Stewart. Stealth found a nice line of breeze to overtake Metachrosis (Colin Smith & Graham Williamson) on the run and these four held their positions to the finish, ahead of Quick Fix (Mike Calvert & Ian Garwood).

Race Three: tide now on the ebb causing some compression at the committee boat. Lots of shouting and Quick Fix going round the end to restart. Faithless and Metachrosis lead the breakaway with Dan Willett and Pete Nicholson in pursuit ahead of local boat Sublime (Martin & Vicky Jones).

Final outcome: win for Monkey Business 3707 (Shoreham SC), 2nd for Faithless 3703 (Parkstone YC), 3rd to Metachrosis 3736 (Hayling Island SC).

A brilliant day’s sailing; proper regatta tea with cake, scones and everything! Thanks to all at Chichester for a warm welcome and a very well run event, and to Craftinsure for sponsoring the Silver Tiller circuit.

Overall Results:

PosBoat NameSail NoHelmCrewClubR1R2R3Pts
1stSpank3707Simon BlakeAlex JacksonShoreham S.C.11-62
2ndFaithless3703Richard WhitworthSarahP.Y.C.2-1013
3rdMeta Chrosis3736Colin SmithGraham WilliamsonHayling Island SC-10426
4thStealth3722Matt BiggsBen HollisBlithfield33-56
5thTeam Gill3675Nick CraigJames StewartFrensham Pond82-1210
6thQuick Fix3691Mike CalvertIan GarwoodAxe Y.C.55-710
7thMiss Aigletinger3718David SayceFiona SayceHayling Island SC47-1111
8thSublime3724Martin JonesVicky JonesC.Y.C.-158412
9thThe Black Pearl3685Will WarrenSophie MackleyShoreham S.C.76-913
10thGangsta Paradise3539Dan AlsopJennie KingLyme Regis6-14814
11thSmarter3627Dan WillettPete NicholsonBrightlingsea S.C.-1312315
12thSlippery When Wet3693Will RaineyKelly MillerShoreham S.C.-1191019
13thBlood Sweat & Beers3730Paul HollisJames DavisBlithfield911-1620
14thTruly Scrumptious3715Paul RaysonNick YannakoyorgosFishers Green S.C.12-161426
15thCool Cookie3620Andy BinesDerick GentryBrightlingsea S.C.14-151327
16thFluffBum Baby Lover3719Mike PartridgeClaire DavisHayling Island SC(DNF)131730
17thVolsci Queen3728Judith MasseyCeilidh HiggsHayling Island SC16-181531
18thMake It So3556Alex JonesJack DeungCookham Reach S.C.1717-1934
19thMinistry of Pleasure3634Ben ArcherW CarrollP.Y.C.18-191836
20thArmed Forces3442Chris IlesKathy IlesLocks Portsmouth1920-2139
21stPoint Break3625Richard BramleyTony ChealShoreham S.C.20-212040

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