420 Summer Teams Selector 2 at Hayling Island Sailing Club

After a blustery and cold first selector at Rutland Water, the 420s welcomed the warmer conditions at Hayling Island on 26 & 27 March. There were a variety of conditions over the weekend.

The fleet got under way in around 15 knots for race one, with Neil Marsden & David Bromilow asserting their pin end dominance and blasting out toward the corner. They were joined at the top mark by those who had headed far to the right - namely Alice Davis & Oliver Rayner in their brand new Mackay. Joe Warwicker & Hugo Valentine were also in the battle for the lead, and after a close final reach, they took the victory ahead of Neil and Dave, with Ella Lance & Will Martin rounding out the podium.

420 Summer Selector 2 at Hayling Island - photo © Jon Cawthorne

Race two was a similar affair, with Neil & Dave taking an early lead and gapping the fleet. Ollie Meadowcroft & Oscar Cawthorne led the charge back and got within metres of stealing the win on the final reach. Ella & Will once again took a third to continue their impressive consistency.

The third and fourth races saw the wind drop off and shift to the right, with hints of a sea breeze sucking the air off the ocean. Wise man Marsden was all over it and closed out the day with another two bullets. Ella & Will took another 2,3 to push themselves into second overall, with Mathias Potter & Ellie Thomas taking 4,2 to join the top three overnight. Sailors returned to shore to enjoy a curry at the sailing club and reflect on what had been a very tricky day for most.

420 Summer Selector 2 at Hayling Island - photo © Jon Cawthorne

The event was looking like a high scorer, and in the lighter and shiftier breeze on Sunday, this only became more apparent. This was no deterrent to Neil & Dave, who once again took an early lead in the first of the day. They were joined by Megan Farrer & Ellie Rush and Alice & Oliver at the top mark as the wind began to die off. The tricky conditions saw Mathias & Ellie navigate the beats with brilliance to take the lead which they held to the finish. Alice & Oliver chased up a second after a tough weekend, and Neil & Dave took a third.

Race 6 saw the pressure build back up, and a strong start off the pin saw Ollie & Oscar take a good lead followed by Henry Heathcote & Hector Bennett and they finished in this order.

The final race saw another masterclass from Neil & Dave with a strong lead established at mark one, closely followed by Ella & Will and Ollie & Oscar. However, with an increasing tide and the day getting hotter, the sea breeze made a valiant attempt to come in, stopping many boats dead in the water. It was the new hotshots Millie Irish & Clara Jones who saw opportunity here and sailed what remained of the pressure to pip Neil & Dave on the finish line and secure their first race win in 420s.

Megan Farrer & Ellie Rush finish 3rd & 1st females in the 420 Summer Selector 2 at Hayling Island - photo © Jon Cawthorne

It was certainly a weekend for the grandmasters of the fleet, who showed that experience trumps all when it comes to such tricky sailing. Neil & Dave won, second were Ella & Will and third were Megan & Ellie who were also first female boat. First U17 were Harry George & Ralph Cawthorne in 11th overall.

In the selection series, Ollie & Oscar remain in the lead and Alice & Oliver have climbed to second ahead of Joe & Hugo. All to play for and the fleet are now looking forward to sunny Wales for the Youth Nationals!

Overall Results: (view the Selection Series results so far here)