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Osprey Open at Hayling Island Sailing Club

by Alistair Reynard 27 Apr 2022 13:37 BST 23-24 April 2022
Pre-start manoeuvrers during the Osprey Open at Hayling Island © Peter Hickson

With the forecast for plenty of wind from the East, eleven Ospreys showed up for the Hayling Island SC Open Meeting on 23rd & 24th April. Those who didn't show missed a cracking event. Hayling is possibly going to host an Osprey National Championship soon, and this would be the perfect venue.

The event was a joint meeting with the Contender and Fireball classes, it will be interesting to see their take on the weekend.

Saturday, bright sunshine with strong, cool easterly blow. The Race Officer briefed competitors that it was going to be 15/20 knots, building through the afternoon. The decision was to do one race and complete the other three races on Sunday, as it was forecast to be lighter.

Race 1: Only seven teams launched on the way to the race area. The wind had built to 25-30 knots. The course was triangle sausage. Three laps with a 1 mile beat! The racing was close, with decisions - shall we hoist, drop, put back up, gybe or granny tack around the Gybe mark. All were tried with a few capsizes!! Terry Curtis & Pete Gregg stayed upright to take the win. Peter Gray & Geoff Edwards, in the Class Boat, sailing well in second, then went in for a swim, letting Alastair & Rob take second. Locals, Alex & Nick Willis incredibly finished 4th, with no rudder, after losing it down the last reach to the finish. Getting back to shore was a challenge.

From Facebook post: "Sue Bannister - HISC Club Racing - well done to Alex Willis for bringing the Ospreys to HISC once again and for finishing 4th on day one after losing only one place just by the finish line, they were able to cross the line 4th without a rubber, some great seamanship by Alex and Nick Willis.

Alison Yearsley - I was on Lady G and it was amazing to watch... not often a boat finishes without a rudder!

Sunday

Race 2: 20-25 knots. Russell Wheeler & Mark Mawhinney blasted round to win. Peter & Geoff 2nd.

Races 3 & 4: The wind did drop, Peter & Geoff won both, to take a well deserved win of the Open meeting, in the Class Boat. WhatsApp message - "Well done Pete Gray, hope you enjoyed sailing the Osprey (he normally sails Scorpions extremely well). I know his grandfather sailed Osprey's and he's always wanted to give one a go - hope he enjoyed it!"

Lees Boat (1183) gets a new name... good luck with that after a few tipples.

The next events are the Kielder Dam to Dam Challenge on Sunday 1st May & Monday 2nd May followed by Panmorra Cup at Mounts Bay SC on 7th & 8th May.

Overall Results:

PosSail NoBoat NameHelmCrewClubR1R2R3R4Pts
11360Class BoatPeter GreyGeoff EdwardsStaunton Harold SC‑32114
21234Plan BTerry CurtisPeter GreigWeymouth SC / Weston SC1‑5225
31183HippoCrocoDonkiRussell WheelerMark MawhinneyIsle of Sheppey SC(DNC)13610
41363Robbers AlleyAlistair RaynardRob BurdekinCarsington SC23‑6510
51369Dark MatterRoger BlakeJames BlakeGreat Moor SC‑744311
61373Great WhiteRichard MarshallStuart MaunderPoole YC5(DNC)7416
71347 Philip MeakinTommo Tamsin (DNC)65920
81372Mellow YellowMick GreenlandLee MarriottWilsonian SC678(DNC)21
91292Light & BitterPaul HeatherJonathan OsgoodTeignmouth Corinthian SC(DNC)89825
101291WaimanuAlex Willis FNick WillisHayling Island SC4(DNC)DNCDNC28
111296WhiteStarKevin FrancisSimon HawkesCastle Cove SC(DNC)DNCDNC731

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