D-Zero Open at Emsworth Slipper Sailing Club

D-Zeros at Emsworth Slipper © Jo & Toby Valentine / HowWhatWhere Lt

On the 23rd April a good fleet of 16 D-Zeros gathered at Emsworth Slipper SC for their first Open Meeting on the 2016 D-Zero Open Circuit. The race management team did a great job to turn round 4 quick fire races on an ebbing tide and the racing was fast and furious.

Nigel Austin GBR191 reports:

Having limited knowledge of the south East coast (Portsmouth, Bexhill, Hastings) I was blown away by the Emsworth Slipper Sailing Club setting and the friendliness of everyone at the club. The joy was capped by a great day of D Zero sailing with 16 competitors taking part in 4 races of decreasing length as the tide turned and the race officer looked to cram back to back.

The Emsworth Eight were pitted against those from up north (as there was no one from further south!) and local knowledge seemed to pay on the first beat with no 66 Dave Valentine lying in 2nd, however under his own admission, he went slower than everyone else after that!. A sightly heavier Tom Southwell showed a clean transom to the following pack but Rob Lennox (fresh from 1 to 1 coaching from Mark Rushall!) psyched the 19yr old out on the last leg (I think).

D-Zeros at Emsworth Slipper - photo © Jo & Toby Valentine / HowWhatWhere Ltd

Race 2 saw Tim Weedon win from Rob L in a closer race with Ian Morgan growing in confidence, which nearly translated into a 2nd in Race 3 if he hadn't grounded with 200m to go! Mike Corney and Tim took advantage behind Rob L.

Race 4 was like a 100m sprint, 1 lap and so the start was all important, Ian Morgan got a flyer and led throughout but there was plenty of position swapping even for such a short race, with Rob Campbell and Stuart Coles producing their best performances with 5th and 4th behind the podium boys of Rob Lennox (1st overall) and Tim W (2nd overall).

The final race was to get back before the water disappeared, and although the result didn't count it was just as enjoyable as the others!! It is such a complete contrast to sailing on an inland reservoir, with lots taken for granted like no tides, same depth of water and no motoring yachts. There are some similarities like weed and windshifts but I think everyone had a huge grin at the end because we all one or two good races, I think ! Thanks Emsworth P.S. great tea!

From here the fleet moved on to Shotwick SC near Chester the following day and then on to Hunts SC on the 30th April.

Overall Results: