XOD mid-July racing at Itchenor Sailing Club
by Steve Dover 20 Jul 2024 22:02 BST
20 July 2024
The classic, wooden XODs from Itchenor Sailing Club had a lovely race today in a not very steady 10 knots of breeze from the SW. There were only eight boats out as some boats had already gone off to Cowes in preparation for Cowes Week and competition with the other five clubs that sail XODs.
Sailing at the top of tide in Chichester harbour is magic with a huge expanse of water and different tactical considerations from other states of the tide. Rather than having 2 back-to-back races, we had one long 2 hour race.
The right hand side of the beat proved to the best way to go with boats tacking onto port shortly after the start. X50 helmed by Roger Yeoman (Winner fleet) was a bit early at the start so went around but had a good start at the committee boat, tacked immediately and managed to sail under and past X32 (Winner fleet) helmed by Oli Broughton.
X91 (Winner fleet) helmed by John Tremlett started further down the line before tacking right. The chasing pack was led by X132 (Pilsey fleet) helmed by John Tattersall followed by X174 (Winner fleet) helmed by Al Ashford, who had a start to forget.
X50 was first around the windward mark closely followed by X32. X91 had to do a short tack to make the mark so rounded 3rd. Then followed a long run up the Thorney channel to Stanbury on the last of the flood tide before a before a long beat out to Treloar in the entrance to Chichester harbour.
The race was pretty competitive with multiple place changes throughout the fleet, although X50 remained in the lead throughout the race with X32 coming second after a very solid race. X174 put on the after-burners to catch up with and worry the races leaders to come third just ahead of X91.
X132 led in the Pilsey fleet while X189 helmed by Roger Heath led in the Stocker fleet, with all boats back on their moorings by 1.30pm in plenty of time for a lunchtime drink.