Hornet Open at Stone Sailing Club

Nine Hornets anticipated exhilarating racing at Stone S.C. over the weekend of June 30th and 1st July. With a scheduled start of 12.30, race officer Wendy Robinson took until 2.30 to decide that with gusts of nearly 30 knots coming in from all directions, the racing would be abandoned for the day. At 2.31 the bar opened.

The competitors were greeted with "go" on Sunday morning. A gentle force 4-5 with the occasional 6 gust and four races scheduled. All nine boats made the starting area, but Steve "I've got a gammy leg" Cooke (2080) made the decision that a capsize would be too risky, so made a quick exit. Toby Barsley-Dale (2176) called for more muscle from Gareth Russell on a practise beat and also left early nursing a poorly jib block system.

Two down, seven to go. Dean Saxton and Rob Smith (2181) took an early lead in race 1 being chased down by Strangler and Pippa Rogers (2132) and Chris Bines and Dave Gibbons (2163). Dean thought his extra weight would give him an advantage flying the spinnaker along the second reach, but the reach was too tight allowing both Strangler and Chris through. Chris managed to overhaul Strangler to take the first bullet.

The fleet split tacks in race 2 trying to find the best way out of the ebbing tide. Strangler led the fleet, closely followed by Chris, with Geoff Furlong and Jim Ingram (2114) proving that age doesn't always come before beauty. Strangler took line honours, only to be called OCS, giving Chris his second win. Geoff and Jim decided the effort involved in finishing 3rd proved enough for them and they headed home.

Six remaining, race 3, the usual suspects. Strangler led from Chris and Dean. Following the first triangle and halfway up the second beat, Strangler was bitten by an enormous gust that nobody else seemed to get. Chris had some spinnaker trouble down the following run, which almost let Dean past, but he held on to take his third win.

Chris then decided to head home feeling under the weather. Mike Owen and Dave Croxfors (2156) chose to join them, leaving just four boats to sail the last race. Strangler led from the start to take the win. Dave and Fran Wood (2175) showed some flashes of speed to finish third. Also to note, a fantastic effort from Theo and Ian Bull, who showed flashes of brilliance to record three 4ths, but not finish the last race due to Blackwater swimming classes.

With all four races to count, Dean and Rob were announce as the winners of the Stone Hornet. Dave and Fran took the trophy for the lowest placed boat to finish all races.

Many thanks to Stone S.C. Racing committee and support crew. A well organised, well run event.

Overall Results:

1st Dean Saxton/Rob Smith, 2181 (Maylandsea Bay S.C./ Stone S.C.)
2nd Chris Bines/Dave Gibbons, 2163 (Brigtlingsea S.C.)
3rd Strangler/Pippa Rogers, 2132 (Rutland/Port Dinorwic S.C.)
4th Theo Bull/Ian Bull, 2131 (Stone S.C.)
5th Dave Wood/Fran Wood, 2175 (Stone S.C.)
6th Mike Owen/Dave Croxfors, 2156 (South Staffs S.C.)
7th Geoff Furlong/Jim Ingram, 2114 (Bexhill S.C.)
8th Toby Barsley-Dale/Gareth Russell, 2176 (Paxton Lakes)
9th Steve Cooke/Alastair McHardy, 2080 (Stone S.C.)