Sunbeams celebrate 95 years of racing
by Rebecca Oldfield 29 May 2018 14:30 BST
26-27 May 2018
Solent Sunbeams 95th anniversary © Solent Sunbeam class
Over the bank holiday weekend, nineteen Sunbeams enjoyed excellent sailing conditions in Chichester Harbour at a special 95th anniversary regatta. Originally designed by Alfred Westmacott in 1922, the Sunbeam class has enjoyed such longevity that the weekend's races saw competitors aged between 1 and 95 years old.
The first day of the competition started with cloudless skies and moderate 15-knot breezes that increased to 20 knots during the course of the day. In the first race, Julian Money in V42 Penny raced into an early lead followed by Roger Wickens in V26 Danny. Danny, however, forged ahead. Behind Penny, Tim Hill in V25 Query pipped V68 Sky on the finish line for third place.
In the second race there was some close racing between Danny and V18 Polly sailed by Nick Leach. These two had a good lead over the chasing pack and they finished first and second respectively.
The second day dawned windless but after some delay a light breeze emerged. With the tide ebbing this put a premium on fast downwind sailing and the marks consequently became fiercely contested. Danny led from the first mark followed closely by Polly and these two maintained their positions until the end.
Unfortunately for Polly she was disqualified for being over the line at the start, giving second place to Penny.
With three first places, Roger Wickens in Danny secured the regatta victory with one race to spare. In the final race, Query and V14 Jabberwocky, sailed by Mike Weston, led from the first mark and kept their positions until the end. Behind them, Danny and Polly had another close tussle but Danny prevailed in the end.
The remaining results were in doubt until the final leg of the last race, such was the closeness of the competition. In the end, Query was second overall, just one point ahead of Penny, who was also one point ahead of Polly.
After racing on the final day, 95 Sunbeam sailors celebrated the Class' 95th anniversary with a special celebratory dinner at Itchenor Sailing Club.
Overall Results:
1. V26 - Danny - Roger and Jacky Wickens, Tim Martell
2. V25 - Query - Tim Hill, Jenny Yeates, Jacqui Evans
3. V42 - Penny - Julian Money, Richard and Sarah Pearson