Graduate Open at Chipstead Sailing Club

Graduates at Chipstead © Fiona White & Alistair Roaf

Graduates at Chipstead © Fiona White & Alistair Roaf

On Sunday 4th May 2014, 13 Graduates gathered at Chipstead Sailing Club for its annual open meeting. Upon arrival, the sailors were greeted with a promising westerly wind along the lake. However, the wind dropped to light airs with dead patches to catch out competitors at the most inconvenient of times.

Race one commenced with the fleet divided as to which end of the line to start. Initial advantage was to Roger Cherrill who started on the left. Bob Murrell started on the right but found more pressure. By the time boats came together at the "narrows," there was no clear advantage as boats searched for wind. By the windward mark, Liz Stockdale had taken the lead, closely followed by Tony Cooper. Later on in the lap, Liz dropped off the pace and allowed Tony to work his way to the front followed by Bob and Roger. Thereafter, the top three positions remained the same with Tony winning the race.

After lunch, a new course was set by race officer Richard Lewis. This was a beat to buoy A. Unfortunately, the wind died at this mark. For the first part of the beat Roger Cherrill lead. However, Liz Stockdale judged best where the wind was through the narrows and again took an early lead at the first mark. Positions in the light conditions continued to be changed throughout the race. Tony Cooper worked his way to the front to take first again followed by Bob Murrell. The final closely fought beat decided the positions for 3rd to 7th with John Clementson going right to take the third.

The last race was started from the Club's race box with a transit across the lake. Just as race began the wind died. Bob Murrell found his own little patch of wind which allowed him to break free of the fleet, get a clear lead that was never to be broken and go on to win the race. Next to find the wind was Tony Cooper who went off to chase Bob. Alistair Roaf and Andrew Hubble then found the wind and battled closely with each other for the rest of the course. In the final beat the wind filled in and this allowed helms to lean out which was pleasant relief for all.

The day was won by Tony Cooper from King George with his bullets in the first two races. Second was Bob Murrell who was also Chipstead's first helm. Third place was hotly contested with three boats level on eight net points; it had to be decided on the technicalities of count back and the result of the last race which just favoured Alistair Roaf.

Overall Results:

Graduates at Chipstead - photo © Fiona White & Alistair Roaf