Scorpion fleet at the Hayling Island Sailing Club 'Howler'
by Simon Forbes 21 Jun 22:23 BST
16-17 June 2018
Scorpion at the Hayling Island SC Howler © Rob O’Neill
The Scorpion fleet turned out in force for the HISC Howler on June 16th and 17th aka Hayling Island Scorpion Open, an event shared with the Fireballs and Merlins. Conditions on Saturday were fabulous, force 5 to 6 with three races back-to-back sailed in Chichester Harbour on a rising tide so no fear of running aground.
Andy Mckee/Steve Graham (2042)and Pete Gray/Andy Davis (2039) battled for the lead in races 1 and 2, winning one each but in race 3 a quick swim for Andy and Steve enabled Dave Elston/Liz Bowers (1981) to scream past and take second place. Barry and Linda Wolfenden (2043) had a third place in the first race but two capsizes in the second race saw them limp home in fifth place with a ripped spinnaker. Penny Jeffcoate /Hannah Edge (2023) managed a third and two fourths.
There was no partying in the evening for the Scorps who were all way too exhausted and excited about another windy day to come.
On Sunday competitors sailed out to Bracklesham Bay for more champagne sailing, force 5 with big seas, for another three long back-to-back races that tested everyone's stamina. The highly efficient race team and two committee boats meant no rest between races.
The first race on Sunday was won by Andy and Steve who had a big lead for most of the race, with Pete and Taxi in second place.
In the second race of the day it was Pete and Taxi's turn to have a big lead with Andy and Steve in second until they went for a swim on the run which allowed Penny and Hannah Edge to overtake. The girls then sailed a perfect beat taking the tide change into account while Andy and Steve overshot the mark but managed to overtake the girls on the reach who had to settle for a third place. Meanwhile Barry and Linda were doing some synchronised swimming with Dave and Liz. The Wolfendens managed to get sailing again quite quickly to finish fourth.
The third race thankfully was a lap shorter. Pete/Taxi and Andy/Steve fought a close battle until Andy and Steve capsized on the reach allowing Pete to take the win and the overall first prize. Further back it was Penny and Hannah's turn to take a swim so they finished fourth with Baz and Linda in third, Dave and Liz had headed back for a hot shower after their prolonged dunking in race 2.
Many thanks to HISC who ran the event perfectly, much fun was had by all and we look forward to returning.
Results:
1st Pete Gray and Andy Davis in 2039
2nd Andy Mckee and Steve Graham in 2042
3rd Baz and Linda Wolfenden in 2043
4th Penny Jeffcoate and Hannah Edge in 2023
5th Dave Elston and Liz Bowers in 1981