Tasar Open at Whitstable Yacht Club

Whitstable Tasar Open Winners David and Fiona Sayce © Rick Perkins

On the 14th & 15th May the Tasar fleet gathered for their first Open Meeting of the year at Whitstable Yacht Club hosted in conjunction with the Merlin Rocket class.

Arrivals on Saturday were greeted with warm sunshine and little wind; but whilst rigging the sea breeze filled in and a great day's sailing was ahead.

Prior to sailing PRO Tom Bruton welcomed the visitors and gave an overview of the days on-the-water plans and sent the fleet out to enjoy the conditions.

The Merlin fleet started promptly, followed by the Tasars; the fleet got away first time under black flag and the race was on... sailors were fully hiked enjoying the 10-12 knots of Easterly breeze in the sunshine and minimal waves.

Boats crossed tacks frequently up the first beat and at the windward mark Rick and Sarah Perkins (WYC) were first round followed by David and Fiona Sayce (HISC) and then Clair and Simon Medd who were making a guest appearance whilst visiting the UK from their home in Melbourne (AUS).

David and Fiona then showed their superior downwind wave technique to slip into the lead; on the second upwind Rick and Sarah nipped back into the lead but were again overtaken downwind as David and Fiona went on to take the win in race 1. Simon and Claire held on for 3rd closely pressed by the rest of the fleet.

Race 2 and 3 followed a relatively similar pattern with David and Fiona again winning from Rick and Sarah; the leading pair were never more than a few boat lengths apart and enjoyed a good battle.

3rd in race 2 was WYC Commodore Andy Jackson crewed by Yvonne Meredith with 3rd in Race 3 taken by Stephen Nation crewed by Julie Puckett (WYC). In each case the fleet finished tightly.

The Tasars returned ashore after 3 great races in glorious conditions that had been expertly run with the absolute minimum of waiting between races. Most agreed the best days sailing of the year so far and possibly will be the year... we will see.

The sailors then enjoyed the hospitality of the Whitstable Yacht Club with a perfectly cooked Fish and Chip supper as they enjoyed a classic Whitstable sunset with a few drinks and some live music from Merlin and the Rockets; the local sailors band lead by WYC member John Bloice.

Sunday dawned with light winds contrary to the forecast but the racing got away on time.

Again at the first mark Rick and Sarah lead from David and Fiona and Clair and Simon; as the race progressed the breeze faded and again David and Fiona sneaked into the lead to take the win at the first leeward mark as the course was shortened in the failing breeze.

The fleet then bobbed around a bit whilst the breeze re-established itself allowing the race team to get Race 5 away. Again Rick and Sarah lead at the first mark but David and Fiona pulled through to take the win from Rick and Sarah with Clair and Simon again 3rd.

The wind then failed completely and the race team took the popular decision to call it a day and the sailors returned ashore.

WYC hosted the prize-giving promptly and then the travelers headed home with 5 races under their belts.

Overall Results:

The next event on the Tasar schedule is the National Championship on the 3rd - 5th June to be hosted by HISC. Entries are now open and can be made online at www.hisc.co.uk/App_Plugins/anCom/com/WhitsunRegattaVisitors