Osprey 2021 End of Season Final Fling at Carsington Sailing Club

Osprey 2021 End of Season Final Fling at Carsington © Angela Mamwell

Having only admired the Osprey from a distance for many years both Chris and I jumped at the chance when we had the offer of sailing the Osprey Class Association's Hartley Mk5 at the End of Season Final Fling held at Carsington Sailing Club. This boat had previously finished third at the Osprey National Championships at Tenby and the Osprey Inland Championships at Blithfield. It is available for loan to teams wanting to sample the Osprey experience.

We arrived Saturday morning to light and variable winds so some tricky inland sailing conditions to contend with.

Race one got under way with a clean start, the battle for the lead ensued between Justin Jones and Chris Anderson (sailing an Osprey for the first time having been loaned the Hartley Mk5 Osprey class boat), Richard & Mark Hartley in the Hartley Mk6 and Russell Wheeler & Mark Mawhinney in a Mk3. The lead changed in the light and variable wind with Justin and Chris looking good for their maiden win only to miss the spreader mark on the last run giving Richard and Mark the opportunity to take the lead which they maintained to the finish. Justin and Chris came home second and Russell and Mark third.

Osprey 2021 End of Season Final Fling at Carsington - photo © Angela Mamwell

With the wind getting lighter the Race Officer abandoned the racing for the day, allowing the competitors to return to the bar to give more helpful advice on sailing Ospreys to Justin and Chris.

Day two dawned with slightly more wind and all competitors sailed to the start apart from the Class Association boat as Justin and Chris were slightly delayed due to diversions and tractors on route to Carsington.

Race two started with Richard & Mark starting well to gain the lead and maintained the position leaving the rest of the fleet to battle for the other places. Alec Mamwell & Arthur Butler closely followed by Phil Meakins crewed by Chris Dodd had a fabulous battle for second and third finishing in that order.

Osprey 2021 End of Season Final Fling at Carsington - photo © Angela Mamwell

Race three and another clean get away helped by the race officer's use of the black flag. Similar to race 2, Richard & Mark Hartley took the lead showing the speed of the new Mk 6 in light airs to sail to a convincing win. Phil Meakins & Chris Dodd also maintained their form to finish 2nd with Richard Marshall & Jonathan Osgood showing better form for a third-place finish. With Richard & Mark taking their third win the fight was on for the minor placings.

Race four with the wind again becoming light and variable, Justin Jones & Chris Anderson found their first race form leading around the windward mark closely followed by Phil Meakins & Chris Dodd and Richard Marshall &Jonathan Osgood. Place changes were plenty between the three leading boats, with Justin & Chris taking the lead on the last run to take the win followed by Phil Meakins & Chris Dodd and third Richard Marshall crewed by Jonathan Osgood.

A huge thank you to Carsington Sailing Club for hosting the Final Fling, the Osprey Association for the loan of the boat and everyone who made myself and Chris so welcome to the fleet with hints and tips aplenty.

Hopefully see you all at Winter Sail Juice series.

Overall Results: