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GJW Direct 2024 Dinghy

Europe Open at Hayling Island Sailing Club

by Lucy Boreham 24 May 2022 11:58 BST 21-22 May 2022
HISC Europe Open © Peter Hickson

With a growing fleet at HISC, and the opportunity of two days sailing out in the bay, there was much excitement about the Europes returning to HISC for a weekend of racing.

24 Europes eagerly launched midday on Saturday, tacking out against the tide in a light but pleasant breeze, to be met at the race course with 15 knots, waves and the O flag flying allowing free pumping downwind.

The race officer has warned us that the U flag would be flying from the start and this meant a few conservative starts, but the fleet got away cleanly each time.

Race 1 saw a crowded committee boat end and close racing throughout the fleet, Ben Harris showed all his practice over the winter had been fruitful and was flying downwind taking a comfortable race 1 win.

Race 2 started in much the same conditions, with the 'big boys' out the front, the Tweedle Brothers and Rob Wilder leading the fleet with Ben in the mix. Gareth had the biggest grin at the end of the race, leading over the line, later to be heard in the dinghy park that is was his first open meeting race win. Ben again showed us how to go downwind with speed taking 2nd.

Race 3 started in the strongest wind, now up to 20 knots with Ben leading the way followed by Gareth, Sue Ogg proved that it wasn't just a day for the big boys sailing taking 4th place just behind John Mckelvie.

Racing through out the fleet was close, with a few swims and a lot of tired but smiling faces at the end of the day. Once ashore, dinner in the club and chat about the days racing made a very pleasant evening.

Sunday brought brilliant sunshine, but a lack of wind. AP over 1 was flown to be replaced by AP over 2, but with a light but constant breeze the fleet launched at midday for a slow short tacking warm up along the beach to get out to the race area.

The breeze had settled and the race team managed to get 2 races in. It was a day for the smaller sailors with Jonny Sargent, the youngest of the fleet showing the way, taking a commanding lead in both races, Sue was hot on his heels with 2 seconds. Adam Catlow, sailing his newly acquired Europe, Ocean Rebellion, had a great race against Sue in race 5, with the 2 crossing the finishing line within seconds of each other. Behind the leaders, very close racing was had with 7 boats all battling it out in each race, John McKelvie showed great consistency in the lighter breeze with a 3rd & 4th.

Ben had done enough on day 1 to take the win, with Sue in 2nd and Gareth taking 3rd spot.

What a great weekend sailing and a fantastic warm up event for the Europe Nationals over the Jubilee weekend at the WPNSA.

The class do know of a few boats that may be able to be loaned out for the Nationals - got to the class Facebook page to post if there are still boats available to join what has to be one of the most friendly and enjoyable fleets.

Overall Results:

PosSail NoHelmClubR1R2R3R4R5Pts
1st331Ben HarrisWeston SC1218‑1112
2nd381Sue OggNetley SC‑8742215
3rd418Gareth TweedleEmsworth SC312‑131016
4th432John McKelvieHISC2‑14123421
5th371Johnny SargentEmsworth SC11‑1391122
6th411Lucy BerehamCYC687‑9526
7th392Adam CahowLeigh Lowton SC96‑1611329
8th319Jonathan TweedleCastle Cove1745‑18834
9th388Mandy HortonGrafham‑1410641434
10th419Emma PearsonStokes Bay C‑1211107735
11th389Rob WilderHISC533(DNC)DNC36
12th361Olly HarrisWeston SC45(DNC)201241
13th377Richard EagletonBexhill SC139814‑1744
14th351Richard Major (DNF)161161346
15th252J‑P SnellingHISC1812(DNF)16652
16th387Andre OzanneHISC1020(DNC)51954
17th248Jo Penhaul SmithStaunton Harold SC715(DNC)152057
18th416Luke LazellURYC16‑1817121661
19th170Natalie CampbellHISC15171317‑1862
20th145Alan RobinsonSevern SC(DNC)DNCDNC10969
21st279Ella Harrisweston SC1922(DNF)191575
22nd209Martyn CatlowLeigh Lowton SC201915‑232276
23rd222Ben TudorPapercourt SC‑212114212177
24th393Geoff NewmanCYC22(DNF)DNC222392

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