International 14 Hayling Hull at the HISC Whitsun Regatta

Archie Massey & Harvey Hillary during the I14 Hayling Hull held at the HISC Whitsun Regatta © Peter Jackson

This year's Hayling Hull was again part of the HISC Whitsun Regatta and saw a very select entry with every helm having won either the Worlds or prestigious PoW.

Race 1 stared in a 10 knot south westerly with a classic hayling bay chop. Archie Massey and Harvey Hillary lead off the line but eventually lost out in the drag race to Neale Jones and Ed Fitzgerald. The kids stretched their legs down the 1st run before easing to a comfortable victory over the 3 lap windward leeward race. Behind Massey & Hillary were a safe second with a tight battler for 3rd between 3 boats. Current World Champion, Andy Partington joined by ex Crews union president & POW winner James (uzi) Hughes came through to take 3rd.

Race 2 saw Jones and Fitzgerald again take and easy win. Behind them, there was a 4 way battle for 2nd between Fitz senior, Massey, Partington and Katie Nurton joined by class newcomer Ian (Milky) Lodder. With the shift range increasing and some holes on the course, Partington worked his way into 2nd with Fitz and Richard Dobson 3rd.

Sunday's racing saw battle resume between the Kids and the Massey-Hillary. The latter had clearly had their Weeterbix catching the fleet napping with a port tack start and getting into phase quickly on the shifts. Jones and Fitzgerald were happy to give the old men some time at the front and duly took the lead at the weather mark and extended on run. Behind them Partington and Hughes closed in on Massey-Hillary at the finish but had to settle for 3rd on the line.

The final race and again Hillary and Massey choose to start on port and again took the early lead. Jones and Fitzgerald eased into the lead but showed the multi world champion the respect to throw in a loose cover as the race went on. By the end of the race, the kids Stella downwind speed gave them straight bullets and they were in a class of their own over the weekends. Behind, Fitz senior and Richard Dobson were a comfortable 3rd in the race finishing just behind Our Partington and Hughes who was looking a little tied after his 2 year sabbatical from the class.

Special mention goes to newcomers to the fleet Ian Lodder crewing for Katie Nurton. Transitioning from the 800 Ian said, "it was physically tough but the sailing was awesome. The boats are spectacular to sail in breeze and I'm really enjoying the new challenge."

The event is the Bull Trophy 8-9th June - Itchenor SC.

Overall Results:

1st Neale Jones and Ed Fitzgerald 3pts (Hollom/Lennon)
2nd Archie Massey & Harvey Hillary 6pts (Holman/Alexander)
3rd Andrew Partington & James Hughes 8pts (Beiker6/Lennon)
4th Andy Fitzgerald & Richard Dobson 10pts (Hollom-China / Batt)
5th Katie Nurton & Ian Lodder 14pts (Hollom-North)