Contender Open at Felpham Sailing Club

The Contender class have, for a few years now, allowed unlimited downwind pumping in conditions over 10 knots. Fantastic news for the young and fit, and a challenge for the more mature sailor.

Saturday at Felpham was a no brainer – no wind forecast so no pumping. Sunday was more debateable with 10-12 knots in the forecast. However, class rules turn pumping on and off with flags O and R according to the wind strength. Since flag R was the designated Felpham club fleet flag we couldn't have pumping. Hurrah said the old farts.

Anyone who turned up on Saturday was definitely feeling optimistic, with a forecast of just 2-4 knots. As it was we had 3 good light air races on courses shared with a friendly bunch of Solos. In race one Stu Jones and Nick Noble got a decent lead on the rest and finished in that order with James Spikesley in third.

In race two Graham Scott and Mike Murley-Hughes built up a decent lead on the fleet with Murley-Hughes getting ahead on the penultimate beat to win comfortably. Jones was third.

The last race was notable for the second beat which saw the leaders reach the pin end of the Solo fleet start line on port just as the gun went. Well actually it was just Nick Noble at the pin end as he had a decent lead which he held to the finish even after ducking the entire Solo fleet. Murley-Hughes was second and Jones third again.

Ashore we were treated to a fantastic buffet of sandwiches and cakes, all included in the entry fee. Great value from a fabulously welcoming Felpham Sailing Club.

Saturday saw some new competitors with Simon Mussell and Gary Langdown having finally unpacked their boats from the Worlds container. Both seemed a bit rusty with Mussell even forgetting half his kit. To be fair it must be difficult to remember what to bring after two decades of Contender sailing.

On the water we were treated to a decent force 2-3 and a trapezoid course. This correspondent was over the line in both starts and had to go back which means I'm a bit sketchy about what happened near the front, but race four was won by Scott with Jones second and Spikesley third again. Race five was won by Scott again with Noble second and Jones third. This turned out to be the overall order too. Lovely sailing on Sunday.

The fleet is anticipating the arrival of the new British built Hartley Contender which promises to bolster the fleet with plenty on order. But alas we'll have to wait a little longer. As it stands the class is well served with the top three boats this weekend being Wooden Bonezzi, Epoxy Bonezzi and Chris Somner boats.

Next up is the Southern Championships at the wonderful Highcliffe Sailing Club on June 9th & 10th. Will we see a Hartley Contender?

Overall Results: