Chichester Scow National Championship 2023 at Bosham Sailing Club

Izzy Lee wins the Chichester Scow National Championship at Bosham © Alastair Seaton

Over the weekend of the 10th & 11th June, a near-record fleet of 19 Chichester Scows competed for the class championships. With their multi-coloured sails, they made a great sight racing in the main part of Chichester Harbour.

The Chichester Scow class at Bosham is one of the largest and most active adult classes at the club with a total fleet of 38 boats. Race turnouts regularly exceed 12 boats along with a very active social sailing programme for those less inclined to race. All the Chichester Scows are built locally by Flight Marine in Chidham, and whilst most of the boats are based at Bosham, there is also a growing fleet at Papercourt SC.

The programme for the championships consisted of four races over two days. The weather gods responded very positively with sunshine and good sailing breezes on both days. All the races were run from Bosham's Cobnor race hut and expertly managed by PRO Barry Colgate and his team.

Race 1 started in a 10kn south easterly, and the early leaders benefitted from starting close to the Cobnor shore. The eventual winner Izzy Lee (CS51) was always in the leading group and pulled clear at the halfway stage to secure a comfortable win from Judy Roberts (CS47) and Jennifer Eldridge (CS45).

A similar pattern emerged in the second race of the day with Izzy Lee once again taking the lead mid race to secure her second win of the day from Jacqui Seaton (CS72) and Jennifer Eldridge.

In the evening, the Scow committee laid on a magnificent drinks and canapé party for over 45 sailors and their supporters. The venue for the party was Bosham's brand new terrace area.

Chichester Scow National Championship at Bosham - photo © Alastair Seaton

On day 2, the wind increased during the day and when the sea breeze built for race 4 there were gusts of over 18 knots.

Judy Roberts sailed a copybook third race leading from start to finish followed by Shaun Hopkins (CS14) and David Macfarlane (CS73)

There was all to play for in the last race to decide the overall winner with Izzy Lee counting two 1sts and Judy Roberts a first and second.

With the building breeze Shaun Hopkins dominated the race and pulled out a very substantial lead. Unfortunately for Judy Roberts, she was impeded by another class of boat when rounding the penultimate mark in second place and dropped back to finish in fourth place.

Izzy Lee pulled through to finish in third place behind Jennifer Eldridge to secure her the overall title.

When the fleet came ashore, they were treated to an excellent cream team, followed by the prize-giving.

Huge thanks go to Claire Wren, the Chichester Scow Class Captain, and her fellow committee members for laying on a truly memorable weekend of racing and socialising.

Overall Results: