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Fireball Gul Golden Dolphin Series Round 2 at Hayling Island Sailing Club

by Dave Hall 30 Apr 2019 10:54 BST 27-28 April 2019
Fireball Gul Golden Dolphin Open at Hayling Island © Rob O'Neill

Such was the enthusiasm of the Fireball fleet to get to their first sea open of the year even storm Hannah could not stop them arriving on Saturday morning. It was obvious racing would be cancelled for the day but still they came. It did however give the chance for some boat bumbling and catching up with friends after the winter break.

Everyone stayed on and with a better forecast for Sunday a few more teams turned up. The efficient race team at HISC got the fleet out on time and turned around 3 great races in the bay in a wind that was quite lively to start with but became weaker and more unstable through the day. Add to that a confusing sea left from the previous day made keeping the boat going a challenge for many of the teams.

In race one Christian Birrell & Vyv Townsend were straight out of the blocks leading at the first mark, a lead they extended down the first run while the pack behind them tussled with each other. At the finish it was Christian & Vyv followed in by Peter &Tom Kyne and Isaac Marsh & Ollie Davenport.

After some initial gear failure in their borrowed boat in the first race Ian Dobson & Richard Wagstaff took an early lead in race 2 ahead of Christian & Vyv. They both stayed ahead of the fleet having a tight battle between them. An error at the leeward mark let Christian & Vyv through giving them another first. Third place was taken by Dave Hall & Paul Constable.

For the final race of the day the wind had eased considerably and with the strong tide made decisions on current verses wind bends a difficult choice. It was the 2 usual suspects at the front of the fleet with Christian & Vyv getting the better of Ian & Richard to take the gun. The young team of Matthew Currell & Harry Odling sailed into 3rd place - their best result of the day.

In the end it was a clear victory for Christian& Vyv ahead of Ian & Richard. With the ever consistent Dave & Paul completing the top 3.

A big thanks to the team at Hayling (and the reduced entry fee) and of course to Gul for the supper prizes.

Overall Results:

PosFleetSail NoHelmCrewClubR1R2R3Pts
1stG15144Christian BirrellVyv TownsendBough Beech SC‑1112
2ndG15161Ian DobsonRichard WagstaffRTYC‑21224
3rdG15155David HallPaul ConstableBlackwater SC53‑78
4thG15124Pete KyneTom KyneBrightlinsea27‑89
5thG15143David WadeRichard PeppedineNorthampton4‑559
6thG15133Kevin HopeRussell ThorneNotts County SC‑104610
7thG1516Isaac MarshOliver DavenportNorthampton38‑1111
8thG15120Vincent HoreyAndrew ThompsonKing George SC66(DNF)12
9thB14976Matthew CurrellHarry OdlingPlymouth Uni‑1210313
10thS14950Chris ThorneJohn PiattLRSC7‑15916
11thG15112David SayceSteve GoacherHISC‑1613417
12thG15130David WinderBen RaynerHollingworth Lake99‑1218
13thS15157Keith WalkerNick ReesHISC811‑1419
14thB15149Chris TurnerColin ParkeHISC‑18141024
15thS15150Angus HemmingsFraser Hemmings 11‑181526
16thB13944Daniel JohnsonBen LathamErrwood SC13‑171326
17thS15099Simon KingsJono LoeHISC1512‑1627
18thG14928Anthony WillcocksJames WillcocksPortishead YC & SC1416‑1830
19thB15103Nathan RushinJoanne RushinHISC17‑191734
20thS14889Barry SmithRicky SpringThornbury SC19‑211938
21stB15097Roger EtheringtonJ PannellBrightlingsea SC‑20202040
22ndS14821Nick HurstJake ElsburyHISC(DNC)DNCDNC46

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