Please select your home edition
Edition
Zhik 2024 December
Product Feature
Technical Marine Supplies - Hamma - 17-4PH High Tensile Stainless Steel Snap Shackles
Technical Marine Supplies - Hamma - 17-4PH High Tensile Stainless Steel Snap Shackles

Zhik Poole Week - Day 1

by David Harding 26 Aug 2018 21:00 BST 26-31 August 2018
Competitors' briefing at Zhik Poole Week © David Harding / www.sailingscenes.com

For much of this season the met men have struggled to predict what's going to happen barely 12 hours in advance: those of us on the central south coast would have been better off ringing granny in Penzance (or Brightlingsea, depending on the wind direction) and asking her to look out of the window.

As far as this Sunday was concerned, however, the forecasters seemed to be in no doubt several days ahead. It was going to be wet. And windy. And generally 'orrible as far as any form of boating was concerned. And they were right.

Unfortunately, Sunday was also the first day of Zhik Poole Week. By the time the competitors had gathered at Parkstone Yacht Club for the briefing at 11am, the rain had already set in (slightly early – the met men weren't that good). The wind, on the other hand, wasn't frightening, even if rain always makes it feel at least 10 knots stronger than it really is. Parkstone's starting platform was registering a manageable 17 knots gusting 23, but much more was promised. Principal Race Officer, Steve Tyler, announced that a decision would be made about the day's racing at 12:00, by which time gusts over 30 had been recorded. Flags N over A (no racing) were duly hoisted, much to the relief of those competitors who had already made the decision to stay ashore but were pleased not to see their chances of success during the week compromised.

Some people went home while others stayed at the club to eat, drink and be merry, looking out through the rain-lashed windows as Brownsea Island and Sandbanks disappeared in the murk. Most were pleased not to be out there especially when, during the afternoon, the wind in the harbour averaged 25 knots for a while and peaked at 39 knots.

The loss of a day's racing in Poole Week doesn't mean there won't be a prize-giving, however, because the random draw for the day's Zhik goodie bag goes ahead regardless and any competitor can win. This brought everyone back to the club for the evening, many taking advantage of the food and drink vouchers included with their entry.

Zhik Poole Week continues until Friday, with conditions looking much better for the rest of the week.

Full entries/results on www.pooleweek.org

Related Articles

Poole Week Revitalised For 2025
New race teams and new courses for the summer's big event How do you make a great sailing week even better, without losing the elements that have always made it a great sailing week? Posted on 24 May
Bournemouth Digital Poole Week 2024 overall
Studies in concentration A lot happened on the final day of Poole Week 2024. The wind was in one of its light and fickle moods, the tide was ebbing for the first starts, and the harbour was busy with traffic that had been mercifully light earlier in the week. Posted on 31 Aug 2024
Bournemouth Digital Poole Week 2024 Day 5
The wind returns It might be in the realms of fantasy to imagine that what one writes in the report of one day's racing in a regatta could conceivably have a bearing on what the weather gods dish up the next day. Posted on 30 Aug 2024
Bournemouth Digital Poole Week 2024 Day 4
Fickle winds and fluctuating fortunes Wednesday was to have been a day of round-the-harbour courses for most of the fleets racing in Poole Week. The Dolphins and Cornish Shrimpers tend to sail round-the-harbour courses anyway - none of this triangle/sausage business for them. Posted on 29 Aug 2024
Bournemouth Digital Poole Week 2024 Day 3
Blow the wind Southerly (sometimes with a bit of East in it too) Poole Harbour was very much a harbour of two halves on the Tuesday of Poole Week. In the top triangle, sailing area for the Flying Fifteens and ILCAs (Lasers in old money), the wind started in the south and pretty well stayed there. Posted on 28 Aug 2024
Bournemouth Digital Poole Week 2024 Day 2
A stunning day of sun, wind and sparkle After the first day of Poole Week was blown off by winds gusting to well over 30 knots, Monday produced the sort of conditions that showed Poole Harbour at its best. Posted on 27 Aug 2024
Bournemouth Digital Poole Week 2024 Day 1
A windy welcome to the week Has anyone noticed that 2024 has been rather breezy? Last year, some regattas and championships were struggling with lack of wind. That hasn't been a problem on the whole this year. Posted on 26 Aug 2024
Poole Week: It's a good time to enter!
Discounted entry fees continue until the end of July With discounted entry fees continuing until the end of July, this is a great time to book yourself in for one of the south coast's biggest, liveliest and most sociable regattas for dinghies and small keelboats. Posted on 13 Jul 2024
Entries open for Poole Week 2024
In August, Poole Harbour will once again come alive with dinghies and small keelboats In August, Poole Harbour will once again come alive with dinghies and small keelboats for one of the south coast's biggest and most well-established regattas: it's the 76th Poole Week. Posted on 3 Apr 2024
Bournemouth Digital Poole Week 2023 Day 6
Fast fun on Frisky Friday After racing was cancelled on Thursday because of no wind, Poole Week came to a riotous close on Friday. Plenty of breeze, together with sun and some good harbour waves, gave everyone a memorable day's sailing. Posted on 27 Aug 2023