West Country Boat Repairs 2000 Millennium Series Round 4 at the glorious Keyhaven Yacht Club

West Country Boat Repairs 2000 Millennium Series Round 4 at Keyhaven © Heidi Langley

The most crazy end to an event ever!

The 2000 class made a very welcome return to the glory that is the treasure of Keyhaven YC for round 4 of the West Country Boat Repair Millennium Series. Unfortunately the wind was too fearsome for racing on Saturday but everyone found ways to entertain themselves until England put us through the agony of penalties but the club saved the day with a fab meal.

Sunday was still clearly breezy but completely raceable so the fleet launched in keen anticipation - little did they know how action packed it was going to be!

Race 1 started in a 15 knot south westerly. Adrian and Roz Stell flew up the first beat and looked to have a really safe big lead but then something very nasty and bleak was rapidly approaching from Bournemouth direction, perhaps it was Bournemouth! Half way up the second beat the windward mark disappeared and there was 5 minutes of a total monsoon including a mini water spout. Then suddenly we were on the last run in sunshine and 8 knots of wind. The Stells were still leading at the final leeward gate but with Pete Vincent/Sophie Bentley right behind them. The short final beat to finishing line was tense with Vincent/Bentley just able to drive home a lee-bow to nick the race win on the line from the Stells with the rapidly gaining Iain/Sarah Yardley only seconds away from winning.

The wind came back for the second race and built to 18-20 knots in bright sun. The Stells made no mistake this time disappearing in a ball of spray down the first run to score an emphatic win. Vincent/Bentley pulled through the fleet to 2nd with Ed/Ruben Dodwell 3rd.

Race 3 and the wind had built a little more and the tide had turned so it was now wind against tide which stirred up the sea state. The tide pushing boats over the start line caught a number of boats out as the pin end was crowded with boats too early. Matt Sargent/Chris Brown were in the lead at the first mark but Vincent/Bentley had found over drive, gybed quickly and disappeared into a big lead to win in 20-24 knots. The Stells recovered from a bad start to pull through to 2nd with Sargent/Brown 3rd.

With the wind now in the 22-26 knot region ever other boat limped home leaving the Stells and Vincent/Bentley the only boats on the race course. Excellent PRO Nigel Wallbank asked them if they wanted to race. "Hell yes lets sort this out the right way" was the emphatic reply. So off they went to go down the first run at full tilt literlly side by side. Vincent/Bentley went for the early gybe to end up very wet but the Stells capsized 40 seconds later. So the race win and the open meeting came down to who could get up right from the capsize the quickest which was pretty even. Then both helms looked at bent tiller exts so after frantic bending them straight it was pop kites again. The Stells had the better angle into the gate and won. Both ended up with 1.1.2.2 scorelines but the Stells deservedly won the open meeting on the last race tie break.

Adrian and Roz Stell win West Country Boat Repairs 2000 Millennium Series Round 4 at Keyhaven - photo © 2000 class

Pete Vincent and Sophie Bentley finish 2nd in West Country Boat Repairs 2000 Millennium Series Round 4 at Keyhaven - photo © 2000 class

Ed/Rueben Dodwell were first family boat just ahead of Jaonathan/Matthew Bailey. Llandegfedd's Guy/Julie Boswell won the silver division.

Many thanks to Keyhaven for the very friendly welcome and excellent organisation of the whole event. We only have to wait for 2 weeks for the fun to start again with next round of the Millennium Series at Chichester YC on July 20/21.

Overall Results: