RS Elite Regatta during Chichester Harbour Race Week - Day 1
by Alasdair McLeod 18 Aug 2022 12:54 BST
17-19 August 2022
Shaken not Stirred on day 1 of the RS Elite Regatta during Chichester Harbour Race Week © Paul Wyeth /
www.pwpictures.com
Colin Smith, helming Shaken not Stirred, RS Elite 7, was the overnight leader after the first day of the RS Elite event in Chichester Harbour Race Week. Essentially a regatta within a regatta, the RS Elite event is held on the third, fourth and fifth days of Race Week (17th, 18th and 19th of August) with two races per day sailed on a separate racecourse in Bracklesham Bay.
The first three places in the leader board are currently occupied by boats which had finished in the first four at the recent RS Elite Grand Prix at Cowes. Shaken not Stirred, helmed for this event by Colin Smith and crewed by Jamie Smith and Anna Wells holds first place by a margin of two points from Martin Jones's second placed Candida RS Elite 113, crewed by Vicky Jones and Steve Butcher.
Ossie Stewart is in third place with More T Vicar RS Elite 67, crewed by Tom Stewart and Ian Jubb. Second and third places were tied on six points with the positions resolved by countback.
Colin Smith normally sails as crew in Shaken not Stirred with Tom and Jo Hewitson but is demonstrating his abilities as a very competitive helm for this event. Martin Jones is a newcomer to the RS Elite fleet, having sailed International Fourteens for many years. Ossie Stewart was the winner of the International Grand Prix and National Championship held at Cowes in June.
In fourth place were Steve Fisher and crew in Rs Elite 44, in fifth were Miles Odell and crew in RS Elite 101 and in sixth were Toby Struss and crew in RS Elite 65.
First day conditions made for some difficult sailing. Following the previous day's heavy rainstorms the wind was light and variable with some major changes in direction presenting difficulties in course setting and challenging the skill of competitors. Nevertheless, in true RS Elite style, the racing was close and competitive.
The day was rounded off by a dinner at Hayling Island Sailing Club.
Event website: chichesterharbourraceweek.sailevent.net