Graduate National Championships at Chichester Yacht Club - Day 1
by Alistair Roaf 26 Jul 2014 23:41 BST
19-21 July 2014
Today, Saturday 26th July, was the start of the Graduate Nationals at Chichester Yacht Club; the water was shared with the club's own family week. Twelve boats from as far north as Lancashire, representing eight different clubs, were at the start line for the first race.
The wind was light to medium and the six boats who had practiced the day before with Steve Cockerill used their new experience to work out the tides. It should be borne in mind that most Graduate sailing is inland and the fleet's tidal experience needed to be developed.
Race one started with the tide flooding and knowledge of where the channel was certainly helped. Those who had been studying the channel at low water from the clubhouse bar, the night before, were at an advantage. Racing was close with lots positions changing. Eventually, Tony Cooper, crewed by his son Sam, took control and went on to win. Tony on his first lap did fall in when his toe strap failed but the water obviously cooled his thinking. The chasing pack were Bob and Maggie Murrell in second and Alistair and Hamilton Roaf were third.
Race two started with considerably lighter winds. It was a case of age before strength for the first lap. Roger Cherrill and Meg Warren followed closely by David and Sandra Wilson went left and used the remaining tide to create a good lead. The rest of the pack then went chasing and eventually wearing down the more experienced sailors. Tony Cooper again showed great speed and went on to win with David Wilson second. John Clementson and Melanie Titmus were a very close third; unfortunately for them they chose the wrong end of the line to finish.
All enjoyed the sunny weather and the home club's welcome and looking forward to the next two days of racing.
Results after Day 1:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club | R1 | R2 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | 2873 | Tony Cooper | Sam Cooper | King George | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2 | 3008 | Bob Murrell | Maggie Murrell | Chipstead | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| 3 | 2979 | John Clemenston | Melanie Titmus | Chipstead | 5 | 3 | 8 |
| 4 | 3010 | David Wilson | Sandra Wilson | Broadwater | 8 | 2 | 10 |
| 5 | 2901 | Alistair Roaf | Hamilton Roaf | Chipstead | 3 | 7 | 10 |
| 6 | 2962 | Roger Cherrill | Meg Warren | Chipstead | 6 | 6 | 12 |
| 7 | 3001 | Andy Flitcroft | Sue Flitcroft | Bolton | 9 | 4 | 13 |
| 8 | 2840 | Ben Hill | Gabe Hill | West Lancs | 7 | 9 | 16 |
| 9 | 3016 | Rob Riddelsdell | Sally Riddelsdell | Chipstead | 4 | Ret | 17 |
| 10 | 3003 | James Gardner | Anne Gardner | Hayling Island | 11 | 8 | 19 |
| 11 | 2700 | Ann Bottoms | Stewart Bottoms | Hunts | 12 | 10 | 22 |
| 12 | 2977 | Roger Francis | Kaine Brown | Dell Quay | 10 | Ret | 23 |