KSSA - Youth Sailing in Kent - Opening Splash at Wilsonian Sailing Club

by Jo Wicken 24 Apr 2016 09:09 BST 23 April 2016

It was a rather chilly day, courtesy of a northerly wind, for the first regatta of the KSSA 2016 calendar. Twenty-five youngsters from across Kent took part in a multitude of dinghies. Experience ranged from those at their first event to sailors with many seasons' experience at national level and beyond. As well as a dispensation to permit on-water coaching by the patrol boats, at KSSA events the more experienced sailors are encouraged to offer tips to the newer sailors to help them improve their racing skills and this sharing of knowledge was notable throughout the day.

With the morning racing taking place shortly after low water, the sailing area was somewhat restricted. Race Officer, Dave Ellis, set a triangular course and quickly got the action underway. The Lasers completed six laps with Pierce Seward, Peter Freeland and Richard Tutt vying for the top places throughout. However, the well-sailed Topper of Morgan Archer came through to claim victory on corrected time.

There was a short interlude before the start of the second race whilst the large commercial vessel, Arco Beck, navigated Gillingham Reach, bound for Chatham. As soon as the river was clear again, the next race was started. This time the tussle was between Peter Freeland and Richard Tutt with the former just doing enough on handicap to take the race.

Lunch followed, after which the tide had risen sufficiently to enable racing in Hoo Bay and a new trapezoid course was set. In the meantime the wind had dropped a little. Peter Freeland dominated the race, managing to keep rival Morgan Archer at bay by just nine seconds.

With the wind continuing to drop, the final race commenced. This time it was Pierce Seward who led the Lasers with Chipstead SC's Catherine Wynn putting in her best result of the day.

Overall winner of the Opening Splash was Peter Freeland of Downs SC. Prizes went to the first six sailors and the Endeavour Prize was awarded to Iggy McNally from Whitstable YC sailing his RS Tera Sport.

The Race Officer was pleased to report that he had not had to recall a single sailor in any of the four starts and that running the racing had been a "delight" despite the inconvenient wind direction.

At the prize-giving, KSSA Commodore, Deb Thomas, thanked hosts Wilsonian Sailing Club for their hospitality along with the many volunteers who contributed to a most enjoyable event.

Overall Results:

Place	Helm	Crew	Club	Class	Sail	PY	R1	R2	R3	R4	Pts
1st	Peter Freeland		Downs SC	Laser Radial	173486	1136	‑3	1	1	2	4
2nd	Morgan Archer		Blue Circle SC	Topper	47647	1341	1	2	2	‑3	5
3rd	Pierce Seward		Broadstairs	LASER 4.7	186435	1195	2	‑6	4	1	7
4th	Alex Head		Downs SC	Topper	46430	1341	5	4	3	‑12	12
5th	Imogen Cage‑White		Broadstairs	LASER 4.7	2	1195	4	‑7	6	6	16
6th	Richard Tutt		Wilsonian	LASER	172811	1095	6	3	‑12	10	19
7th	Catherine Wynn		Chipstead SC	Laser Radial	183441	1136	7	‑14	9	4	20
8th	Morgan Tindall		Wilsonian	Laser Radial	142114	1136	‑13	5	8	8	21
9th	Harry Downard		Wilsonian	LASER 4.7	102205	1195	‑15	10	7	5	22
10th	Hannah Mumford	Tara Head	Downs SC	RS Feva	3333	1235	12	‑15	5	7	24
11th	Gabrielle Mould		CSC	Laser Radial	186940	1136	9	‑12	11	9	29
12th	Charlie Baker		Medway YC	Topper	37203	1341	10	9	10	‑14	29
13th	Jem Causer		Wilsonian	LASER	51518	1095	11	‑16	14	11	36
14th	Craig Windridge		Broadstairs SC	Topper	46851	1341	‑18	14	15	15	44
15th	Anna Breare		Medway YC	Topper	15825	1341	(DNF)	8	13	DNS	47
16th	Emma Laversuch		Whitstable YC	Laser Radial	144279	1136	‑19	19	16	13	48
17th	Iggy McNally		Whitstable YC	RS TERA SPORT	2620	1457	14	‑17	17	17	48
18th	Jack Dann		Wilsonian	LASER 4.7	159711	1195	16	11	(DNS)	DNS	53
19th	Gavin Cope		Wilsonian	RS TERA PRO	2493	1356	23	(DNF)	19	16	58
20th	Henry Townsend		Medway YC	Topper	27512	1341	8	(DNF)	DNS	DNS	60
21st	Lee Windridge		Broadstairs	Topper	46736	1341	20	22	18	(DNS)	60
22nd	Robert Crane		Wilsonian	Laser Radial	23	1136	17	20	(DNS)	DNS	63
23rd	Zoe Breare		Medway YC	Topper	30450	1341	21	18	(DNS)	DNS	65
24th	Anna Baker		Medway YC	Topper	84	1341	(DNF)	23	DNF	18	67
25th	Hannah Bealey		Wilsonian	Topper Taz	0	1399	22	21	(DNS)	DNS	69