Chichester Harbour Gin Solo Open at Papercourt Sailing Club

by Andrew Boyce 15 Oct 2019 19:53 BST 13 October 2019

Papercourt's open is traditionally the last event in not only the Thames Valley but also the Southern Series. In spite of a dire forecast of rain, rain and more rain, fourteen Papercourt and nine visiting Soloists enjoyed the solid 14/20 knot South Westerly under grey skies and with the gusts rifling down the lake many experienced a dip on the way to the start area!

Race 1 went off first time, with many keen racers eager to stretch their legs in the increasing breeze. The first shift came in from the right which allowed James Boyce who'd started at the committee boat to take the lead. Roger Bennett (Silver Wings) and Fraser Hayden (Papercourt) were close behind until Fraser stalled on a tack and washed his sail. Several sailors were caught off guard by both the magnitude and the direction of the gusts downwind resulting in several capsizes including guest appearance from Ian Martin who was making his solo debut in a borrowed boat. Despite a formidable defence from David Mason (Silver Wings) and Paul Playle (Island Barn) Fraser managed to creep back up to 3rd with Simon Derham (Littleton) taking 4th.

Race 2 yet again away first time with even stronger gusts pummelling the fleet up the first beat. The first lap saw James and Dad Andrew in a tight battle managing a perfectly synchronised gybe, James managed to get ahead once again but feeling the pressure of the chasing pack tipped it in on the gybe mark on lap 3 and was promptly overtaken by Roger, Fraser, Andrew and Simon. A tight battle ensued up the following beat with James, Roger and Fraser coming out on top in that order at the finish.

The large hot jacket potatoes with Chilli or Tuna were exactly what the tired sailors needed to give them a brief rest bite before heading back out for another two back to back races. Fortunately for the sailors the wind had moderated slightly over lunch setting the scene for some tight tactical racing in the afternoon.

In Race 3 Andrew managed to round the windward mark first only to fall in on the run. James slipped away. Paul Robinson (Papercourt) finally got into his groove and sailed away into 2nd with Roger leading the pack in 3rd, Ian Martin 4th. James had now won event.

Race 4 and muscles were getting tired! Paul was looking good to lead around the first mark but an error in uprightness cost him a few places but he recovered well.

Fraser seized the opportunity and led around for a while, with pressure from Steve Jones (Littleton), Simon and Roger, but as was his way, James found his pace and slipped away. Andrew showed great determination after a bout of backwards sailing at the start and crept through the fleet to 3rd place. Fraser kept his 2nd with Simon in 4th place.

Overall Results:

Pos	Sail No	Helm	Club	R1	R2	R3	R4	Pts
1st	5115	James Boyce	PSC	‑1	1	1	1	3
2nd	5487	Roger Bennett	Silver Wings	2	2	3	‑9	7
3rd	5381	Fraser Hayden	PSC	3	3	‑6	2	8
4th	5393	Simon Derham	Littleton SC	4	5	‑7	4	13
5th	5693	Ian Martin	Burghfield	6	6	4	(RET)	16
6th	5666	Andrew Boyce	PSC	‑21	4	10	3	17
7th	5582	David Mason	Silver Wings	5	‑12	8	6	19
8th	4973	Paul Robinson	PSC	11	9	2	‑15	22
9th	5065	Sam Tozer	PSC	7	‑14	5	10	22
10th	5730	Steve Jones	Littleton SC	8	10	‑11	5	23
11th	5180	Paul Playle	Island Barn	(OCS)	7	9	7	23
12th	5202	Simon Hamment	PSC	10	11	‑12	12	33
13th	4801	Godfrey Clark	Fishers Green	12	‑15	14	8	34
14th	4454	Stas Lawicki	PSC	9	13	‑17	13	35
15th	5718	Craig Clarke	PSC	‑16	8	16	14	38
16th	4970	Sue Taylor	Silver Wings	15	(RET)	13	11	39
17th	4679	Mark Fuller	PSC	14	(RET)	15	16	45
18th	5608	Simon Verrall	Dell Quay	17	16	18	(RET)	51
19th	4818	John Hawes	PSC	18	(RET)	20	17	55
20th	5085	John Baple	PSC	19	17	19	(RET)	55
21st	5575	Paul Trevan	Frensham Pond	13	(RET)	RET	RET	63
22nd	5256	John Panting	PSC	20	(RET)	RET	RET	70
23rd	5815	Tom Key	PSC	(RET)	RET	RET	RET	75
23rd	4647	Bryn Williams	PSC	(RET)	RET	RET	RET	75

A welcome tea was laid on for competitors and prize giving followed for the Open,

• Papercourt Open winner James Boyce -5115 - Papercourt SC
• Southern Series winner Fraser Hayden - 5381 -Papercourt SC
• Thames Valley winner Roger Bennett - 5487- Silver wings SC

With many thanks to Chichester Harbour Gin for sponsoring the Southern Series, all the volunteers who helped run the day in particular the Race officer team of Anne and Martin Smith, the tireless safety crews and of course the stars of the galley Jill and Kathy.