Christchurch Harbour Interclub Series - Day 2
by Sarah Desjonqueres 3 Oct 2016 13:06 BST
2 October 2016
Christchurch Harbour Interclub Series day 2 © Sarah Desjonqueres
Anyone watching from Mudeford Quay this Sunday morning would have been treated to a beautiful sight. Under perfect blue skies, 39 boats came out to play in Christchurch harbour to continue contesting the annual Interclub harbour challenge.
Mudeford SC were in charge of proceedings laying on a course stretching from the edge of Stanpit Marsh right over to the shoreline of Hengistbury Head. With a F2 north westerly filling the harbour there was just enough puff to take everyone around easily.
The first race started with a little confusion. The gybe mark had been laid slightly to starboard of the start line and there were a certain number of sailors who mistook the mark for the start pin finding themselves in the wrong place as the hooter went. But a little trip back toward the committee boat to cross the line in the correct fashion rectified the situation and all who wanted to were able to compete.
First to the windward mark were a raft of Christchurch SC Finns, quietly ensconced amongst them was Mudeford SC's John Challener in his Laser. Following close on their transoms were the OK's of Christchurch SC Rushworth and Highcliffe SC's Guery de Bray both leading the raft of tightly packed Lasers fighting out it behind.
With the wind beginning to shift and drop, the race team decided to finish after 3 rounds which on correction, gave Mudeford's Challener the top the spot with Christchurch SC's Barnes and New in their Finns taking 2nd and 3rd respectively.
For the second race, Rushworth (OK) had noticed a start line bias and managed to get away on a fantastic port hand flyer sailing right across the fleet with plently of space to spare.
As the boats raced out to the windward mark, a trio of Christchurch Rowing Club boats came down the river heading right across harbour and into the path of 39 dinghies. From the roving reporters viewpoint it seemed that a collision was inevitable, but the skilled rowers carved through to the other side unscathed with no harm done. A sunny, Sunday morning can make the harbour a busy old place.
The 2nd race saw Highcliffe SC Guery de Bray catch up his fellow OK sailor Rushworth eventually beating him by one place taking 7th and 8th places respectively. After correction however this race belonged to the Christchurch SC Finns who filled all the top spots giving Percival, New and Barnes a 1,2,3.
Overall with 2 races left to run, it is consistency that has paid off, with the top 3 places taken by sailors who have all posted 4 results in the top 8. The leader board has Mudeford SC's Challener at the top, with Mudeford SC Batten Family (Hartley 12) in second and Christchurch SC Phillips (Finn) in 3rd.
Sunday's racing was really a delight for sailors. With so many boats out on the water, racing opportunities were abundant. For the duration of both races there were clusters of boats having their own private battles, with no particular handicap left out - you really can't ask for better racing conditions. On that positive note we look forward to the last 2 races which will take place on 16th October at 10am.