Dell Quay Sailing Club Annual Regatta 2013
by Andrew Horne 12 Jun 2013 14:24 BST
24 June 2012
The annual DQSC Regatta got off to a great start on Saturday 8th June 2013, with the fine sunshine and fresh breeze encouraging 80 boats – 47 dinghies and 33 classic keelboats – onto the water. Conditions were challenging, with a gusty north-easterly wind hitting force 6 at times. But after a good number of capsizes en route to the starting line, most competitors sailed very competently indeed, with some spectacular planing on the off-wind legs.
The Solo fleet had a close start, with Bill Dawber (DQSC) over the line and having to return. Andy Gray (DQSC) led up the first beat but capsized with mainsheet problems and on the next round Ken Baker (DQSC) had an incident with a powerboat which left him swimming. Dawber took the lead to win comfortably from Millett (Chichester YC) and Baker.
The 2000 sailors enjoyed the long downwind leg, flying their gennakers all the way. During the first lap Graham and Lucy Dalton (DQSC) drew out a long lead but fell back to third after sailing into a wind hole. With some deft gennaker handling and hard upwind hiking, the Daltons regained the lead to finish first followed by clubmates Warwick Hoddy and John Denyer, with Chris Hodge and Louise Varley (CYC) third.
Despite the gusty conditions 16 Topper sailors took to the water, for the first event of the WSSYSA Topper Traveller area series. It proved a thrilling and fast-paced race, on a course very busy with other classes, and the young competitors displayed excellent determination and perseverance. Felpham SC took rostrum honours, with Ed Gerwat, Josh Wilkinson and Owen Aldous first, second and third.
Exciting racing was also enjoyed by the Lasers with Ben Chrystall (DQSC) winning from Andy Palmer Felgate (CYC) and Paul Ward (Itchenor SC). In the Medium Handicap the Laser 4.7s lead the field with DQSC members Beckie Manning first, Nikki Buchanan second and the Graduate of Roger Francis and Peter Campbell third.
In the Fast Handicap race Graham Darwell (Broadwater SC) and Peter King (DQSC) recovered after capsizing their Albacore at the five-minute gun to make a good port tack start. They stayed with the faster boats for the first lap, and enjoyed close racing with the Finn of Edward Thorburn (Newhaven and Seaford SC), who they pushed into third place, to finish second behind Simon and Jackie Lytton (Merlin Rocket, Hayling Island SC).
After a delicious regatta tea DQSC President Mary Ross presented the prizes, including the Spirit of Dell Quay Trophy, given by the Crown & Anchor pub and awarded to a DQSC member who has displayed perseverance or 'spirit' competing in the regatta.
This year the trophy went to Chris Lynas and his nine-year-old son William. Chris and William capsized their Heron whilst sailing towards the start of the Slow Handicap race. With much effort they bailed out the Heron and reached the start, finishing the race second behind the Mirror of Martin and Ed Jones (Hayling Island SC).
Full results are on the club's website