Record entry for Classic Boat Revival at Bosham Sailing Club
by David Edmund-Jones 27 Sep 2012 21:04 BST
22-23 September 2012
The Bosham Classic Boat Revival 2012 was kindly sponsored by Top
Yacht, Wiley Nautical, Harken and Pusser's Rum.
79 classic racing dinghies from as far afield as Ireland and Lancashire descended on Bosham Sailing Club over the weekend of 22/23 September to contest the 2nd annual Bosham Classic Boat Revival.
With 10 classic Merlin Rockets – wide and skinny varieties - heading
the entry list of International 14's, Fireflies, Classic National
18's, Chichester Harbour 18's, Jollyboats, Yachting World Dayboat's,
Tideway's, Fairy Falcons, Sharpies and Wayfarers competing against the
likes of an International Moth, Kestrels, Solo, Wayfarers, Torbay
Minnow, even a 'banned' National 18 which was exceptionally fast, plus
dozens of other similar classic craft, the Bosham Classic Boat Revival
is gathering considerable momentum.
Event organiser Andrew Young commented "We certainly seem to have
touched a nerve with this exciting event, with a huge increase on last
year's entry list and, I am delighted to say, way ahead of our
expectations. We were hoping that we might hit 60 boats this year, but
were bowled over when 79 turned up! We started the event last year
because we believed that there were thousands of classic racing
dinghies – built during the 50's, 60's and 70's - languishing in
dinghy parks around the country and these should be out racing. I
think we might have been proved right!"
"It is clear that this is fast becoming a national event, not just one
that attracts local sailors. The standard of racing is very high with
at least two competitors featuring in the silverware at National
Championships this year. We are now all wondering how we can top this
in 2013! "
The programme called for a 5 race series across the weekend with 3
sailed back-to-back on Saturday. The wind strength was a perfect 8-12 knots whilst the easterly
direction and low tide state provided a number of challenges for
Principal Race Officer Nick Fox and his experienced team.
Whilst not quite allowing the picturesque Chichester harbour to be
enjoyed to the full, the excellent courses certainly provided some
very tight racing for the 79 competitors.
Running adjacent, separate, starting and finishing lines in order the
accommodate 9 races across three divisions was a tall order, but Nick
Fox and his team ran a faultless series of races for the competitors
who arrived from 30 clubs from as far afield as Brixham, Blackpool,
Lymington, Hamble, Christchurch, Weymouth, Lyme Regis and Merseyside,
together with several famous clubs on the Thames and even from
Ireland.
Sunday dawned with truly foul but predicted conditions, strong winds
and driving rain. This time less than 20 competitors braved the
elements, driven largely by the need for some of the keener
competitors to put points on the scoreboard. With no discards coming
in to play, it was essential to get out and race if one wanted to take
home one of the prizes.
The local contingent was represented by competitors from Itchenor SC,
Thorney Island SC, Dell Quay SC and Langstone SC with host club
members doing particularly well winning two classes and featuring
heavily in the prizes.
Shoreside one of the focal points of this unique event is always the
hotly contested Concours de'Elegance competiton, where beautifully
restored wooden classic racing dinghies are proudly displayed on Quay
Meadow for all to admire. Judges Peter Lacey and Tim Gilmore, both
local boat builders, had a tough time splitting the top contenders,
but unanimously agreed the top prize be awarded to Simon Meacock from
Weston Sailing Club with his immaculate International 14, Ripping
Yarns built in 1964.
Fast Division results
1st. National 18, Tinkerbelle - Richard Stirrup, Dave Hall & Jonno Prosser – Bosham SC
2nd. National 18, Nimrod – Colman Garvey, Roy Darrer & Brian Heengan – Royal Cork YC
3rd. Merlin Rocket 774 – Martin Hunter – Upper Thames SC
4th. Merlin Rocket 1097 – Mike Stevens – Tamesis SC
Medium Division results
1st. International Moth 2883, Ian Marshall – Oxford SC
2nd. Yachting World Dayboat, Yellow Peril - Fiona MacFarlane, Ollie Macfarlane & Ginny Kidd – Bosham SC
3rd. Firefly 3434, Paul Kameen – West Kirby SC/Bosham SC
Slow Division results
1st. Tideway, Nimrod - Chris Welland – Bosham SC
2nd. Tideway, Mouse – Andrew Francis – Bosham SC
3rd. Chichester Scow, Happy Bunny – Izzie Lee – Bosham SC