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Ocean Safety 2023 - New Identity - LEADERBOARD

UKLA ILCA 7 Masters Qualifier at Parkstone Yacht Club

by Guy Noble 26 Apr 2023 17:21 BST 22-23 April 2023

The first UKLA Masters event of the year, a fantastic club, the variable and changelings of Poole Harbour, and the stage was set for 78 UK ILCA Masters sailors to test their metal. In the fleet of 48 ILCA7 sailors there were Masters World champions, Olympians and National Champions - it was effectively a mini Nationals. But as is often the case with a six race event it's consistency that will prove decisive.

Hats off to Chris Whalley (Apprentice Master) from PYC for winning the 2023 Parkstone Masters. Never out the top ten he sailed a solid and smart regatta with two bullets.

All the forecasts said the weekends weather would be difficult to predict which proved spot on. Saturday started sunny and warmish, with everyone eager to get racing. Although not more than 6 or 7 knots SE we all made our way across the harbour to the race area just off Brownsea Island. The day's three races were sailed in what could be accurately characterised as puffy and super shifty conditions.

Saturday

R1 - With an ebbing tide and a SE, it paid to keep out to the left. At the second attempt the fleet were away with the majority down at the pin end. By the second mark Roger O'Gorman was leading but Paul Robinson, David Surkov and William Macdonald (who was UFD) were all in the in the top 5. Chris Whalley had work to do but ended the race 1st with Howell Roberts PYC in 2nd and Roger slipping to 3rd.

R2 - (I have to declare a special interesting this one as it is the first race in major event I have won - and I'm going to get a ribbing for writing this). Starting about mid line I had a perfect transit with the pin and a funnel on a ship in the docks. As there was a big line sag at 20 seconds I accelerated hitting the transit at the start gun - Boy does a bit of space make a difference.

After taking a short hitch up on port to get what I thought was a bit more pressure I tacked back onto starboard getting a slight lift. I could see the majority of the fleet below me were being lifted which was good for me as they would soon have to tack and therefore be disadvantaged. I tacked back onto port and had moved into the next left shift and was lifted to the mark. There was only Tim Law SYC in front of me although Michael Atkinson PYC and Peter Young BBSC were hot on my heels.

After a fairly short reach to get to the outer loop Tim opted to go slightly right down the run. I kept to more to the centre with Michael and Peter to the left. I managed to get past Tim and took the left gate with a small lead over Tim. By now the wind had moved more left making the long tack port. Peter rounded 3rd. Micheal tacked off under the fleet which proved the better move. By the top mark I had lost the lead to Michael but had pulled away slightly from Tim and Peter.

By the final run down to the finish Michael and I were neck and neck I managed to move over to the right getting a bit more wind and perhaps more tide - then made my move to cut over to the left to get the inside as we approach the mark. With a short close reach to the finish it was all over. Like loosing your virginity you will never forget your first big win! 1st Guy Noble, 2nd Michael Atkinson, 3rd Peter Young, 4th Tim Law, 5th Mark Lyttle.

R3 - The sun came out which made for some great photos. With a more even line several of what turned out to be the winners started from the committee boat end of the line. By the second mark it was Alan Davis leading and Chris Whalley second followed by about 6 boats closely packed together. This race saw some real snakes and ladders... Neil Davies pulled out a terrific 4th, Alan Davis slipped to 3rd, Stuart Hudson moved up to take 2nd and Chris took line honours by some considerable margin.

One of the great things about events at Parkstone Yacht club is, well the club house! Since it was rebuilt in 2017 it has become one of the most impressive clubs in Europe. As the sun sets on Poole harbour you can eat well soak up the relaxed family atmosphere.

Sunday

Not the brightest or the windiest start to a day racing I seen. In fact although we limped our way out to the start around 10:30 it really was looking pretty grim. After about an hour the committee boat received news that just off shore there was 13 knots from the west and Weymouth had 10kts. So it was coming it was just a matter of waiting.

R4 - 5 knots Southerly-ish provided a very stern test of patience guile. Qualities Stuart Hudson has in abundance helping him secure his first win. Alan Davis based a second and Mark Lyttle 3rd.

R5 - At about 13:30 someone switched the wind on. During this race a decidedly chilly and rainy front swept in giving us 10 knots SW/S. Now we had a race! Michael Atkinson won with Orlando Gledhill 2nd and Roger O'Gorman 3rd.

R6 - the RO just got in the final race before the 3pm cut off. He also changed the course to a windward / leeward course. The left paid with Alan Davis first around the windward mark closely followed by Orlando Gledhill and Tim Law 3rd. Unfortunately for Alan he was UFD so was out and this put pay to taking the overall title. Tim Law came through to take the win, Chris Whalley 2nd and Howell Roberts 3rd.

There were some standout performances from several that need a mention. Getting into to the top ten is no mean achievement which is exactly what David Surkov did twice. David has been pushing himself hard by recently competing in the senior Europeans. Mathew Knight also got 2 top tens and Neil Davies 3 top tens and 10th overall.

The prize-giving was made very special by the incredible generosity of the sponsors: Ovington Boats, Rooster, Sailingfast, Southeast Sailboats and Fernhurst Books - these all contributed to the terrific prizes handed out to the winners. And to Noble Marine for their annual sponsorship. A big thanks you to the on-the-water team headed by RO Graham Davies and the on shore team at PYC.

Overall Results: (* = penalty for not tallying)

Apprentice Master: 1st - Chris Whalley. 2nd - Neil Davies
Master: 1st - Howell Roberts. 2nd - Roger O'Gorman. 3rd - Orlando Gledhill
Grand Master: 1st - Stuart Hudson. 2nd - Alan Davis. 3rd - Mark Lyttle
Great Grand Master: 1st - Tim Law

PosGroupHelmSail NoClubR1R2R3R4R5R6Pts
1stApprenticeChris Whalley210410Parkstone YC1‑9195218
2ndMasterHywel Roberts220442Parkstone2‑13566322
3rdGrandStuart Hudson204644Keyhaven YC87217‑1125
4thGrandAlan Davis220433Parkstone463211(UFD)26
5thMasterRoger O'GormanIRL 215198Parkstone310943(UFD)29
6thGrandMark Lyttle217871Queen Mary SC105738(RET)33
7thMasterOrlando Gledhill218699Queen Mary SC7814‑292435
8thGreat GrandTim Law195867Salcombe YC11418‑254138
9thMasterAndy Le Grice213640Warsash SC‑16118591245
10thApprenticeNeil Davies213773Parkstone‑2012413101049
11thApprenticeMichael Clark193444Bough Beech1214614‑18652
12thGrandMichael Atkinson220438Parkstone YC‑30222281558
13thGrandGuy Noble222201Queen Mary SC‑231127221658
14thMasterPeter Young209833Bough Beech SC1731510‑211762
15thMasterRoger Hakes212400Parkstone15‑191112131465
16thMasterMatthew Knight217877Queen Mary SC52119‑2317870
17thMasterSimon Hardiman212061Bartley SC13‑27208207*73
18thMasterDavid SurkovUKR 218279Queen Mary SC6‑332420129*76
19thMasterMatthew Fletcher195049Queen Mary SC2718‑3818141996
20thGrandPaul RobinsonUSA 208838 1928161524(UFD)102
21stMasterAdrian Lynham216611Stokes Bay SC22‑2521221622103
22ndGrandChris Ellyatt214415Queen Mary SC9161319(DNC)DNC106
23rdApprenticePeter Edel222574King George SC14‑3126162331110
24thMasterNick Morgan203309 ‑332032242515116
25thApprenticeWilliam MacDonaldCAN 216367Wembley(UFD)1729331523117
26thGrandRob Kemp218434 282623‑342920126
27thGrandNick Shuttleworth212406 29291739‑4018132
28thGrandDavid Casale211257Stokes Bay SC1832‑37213330134
29thGrandBob Cudmore222557Parkstone YC3422‑44422613137
30thGrandJoza Cic211870Wembley SC‑373533173421140
31stMasterColston Nichols204966Parkstone(UFD)4147111925143
32ndMasterDan Wealthy122528Warsash3134‑36262728146
33rdGrandDavid Hartgill222545Parkstone YC263031‑373626149
34thMasterChris Turner223057Lyme Regis212410(DNC)DNCDNC153
35thGrandGareth Humphrey212146Spinnaker‑393834273127157
36thMasterTerence ONEILL218983Seafarers‑383628323033159
37thMasterStephen Ehrhart212907 32‑4240303524161
38thGrandJulian Wilkins207700Chichester‑413930353232168
39thGrandCarl Avery197774Burton SC36‑4035313829169
40thApprenticeNicolas Van Tienen215376Stokes Bay SC242327(RET)DNCDNC172
41stGrandDavid Wilkinson200912 (UFD)15413837UFD180
42ndGrandWayne Williams209059Langstone SC253725(DNC)DNCDNC185
43rdMasterAlan Holloway209487Wembley SC3543433639(DNC)196
44thMasterMartin Wadsworth159277Poole YC4246424028(DNC)198
45thGrandJonathan Stirling217841London Corinthian44‑4746414134206
46thGrandNicholas King218838 434539(DNC)DNCDNC225
47thGrandJohn Ridd222562Parkstone404445(DNC)DNCDNC227
48thGrandAndrew Hartley220430Parkstone YC(DNC)DNCDNCDNCDNCDNC245

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