OK Open and Southern Championship at Hayling Island Sailing Club

Andrew Mills during the OK Open at HISC © Peter Hickson

A small but very competitive fleet took battle at the HISC OK open and Southern Champs. On arrival a 20-25kt NW breeze greeted the competitors, so the decision was taken to delay the start and sail in the harbour on a full tide by the PRO Zeb Elliott. This proved to be a fantastic decision as the racing was tight, tactical and tense.

Race 1 started with Russ Clark and new to the fleet, Matthew Walker starting well and sending it up the first beat. It didn't take long for Andrew Mills to click into gear and show the fleet his intentions for the day. Mills stormed through on the run and held to the finish with Paul Childs coming through for 3rd.

Race 2 was an eventful one for author Childs. Starting OCS, hitting the windward mark when he thought he was making a comeback and then going for a swim on the bottom reach. A full house...

Mills led from start to finish, sailing well on the shifts. A tight battle between Clark and Jim Downer sailing his home-built leech. For Jim's first open he showed great speed both up and downwind, there will certainly be more to come!

Andy Dalby during the OK Open at HISC - photo © Peter Hickson

Race 3 and a tiring fleet saw more shifts and Andy Dalby mixing it up the first beat with the heavyweights. Mills yet again disappeared leaving a tight battle between Clark, who overtook Childs to make it 1.1.1 for Mills, 2.2.2. For Clark. 3.4.3 for Childs and 4.3.4 for Downer.

Day 2 of the HISC open was clouded with uncertainty. The forecast on the light side, but with a clear directive from the PRO. The wind will swing to the west and when I does, we're off racing! 1 hour ashore and then off we headed into Hayling Bay.

Race 1 started in 5-7kts which held through the race. The start was clean with everyone neck and neck, the shifting winds meant everyone was in the game. Alex Ogilvie looking good at one point on the right with Matthew Walker until further up the beat where after some sharp shift work Childs led at the ww, just ahead of Clark and Mills.

Russ Clark during the OK Open at HISC - photo © Peter Hickson

All Even Stevens after the run, but Mills edging it up the 2nd beat followed by Clark. Clearly both boats must have had a tonne of weed as they surprisingly pulled out little on Childs on the last reaches to finish in that order.

With a dying breeze, Clark heading back to Dartmouth and Mills jet setting to Napoli a gentlemen's agreement was made for the final race. WW mark and then head in. Who won this race is up for some debate... Was the finish at the spreader mark, was it first ashore or was it first to get their helping of Regatta tea/cake and beer? Each leg had a different winner...

Jim Downer during the OK Open at HISC - photo © Peter Hickson

It was a great weekend of incredibly tight racing from all boats and great to see a few new OK sailors racing in Hayling.

Mills finished 1st with straight bullets, Russ Clark 2nd with all 2nds and Childs 3rd.

Andrew Mills during the OK Open at HISC - photo © Peter Hickson

Winner Andrew Mills said - "It was a great weekend with really tight racing, the scores didn't reflect how tight it was and great to race hard but in good spirit. The Race officer nailed his calls and it was great to get out, race with fair racing and no faffing".

Thanks to everyone who made the trip. It was a great weekend and hopefully the start of more to come in the build-up to the nationals this year and Lyme in 2023.

Overall Results: