Please select your home edition
Edition
RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show 2025

Comet Southern Aphelion at Littleton Sailing Club

by Comet Class Association 21 Sep 06:16 BST 15 September 2024
Comet Southern Aphelion at Littleton (l-r) Ben Palmer, Aphelion winner, and Andy Dale, open winner © Norah Jaggers

Littleton SC played their joker for a great sailing day for Comets after a year away from the venue. There were 15 entrants, 4 from the host club and 11 from 10 other clubs.

We shared the water with the Solos, which worked well for both classes and the club. The wind did not look promising to start with, but soon filled in from a favoured South Westerly direction to provide an ideal force 2-3 in lovely sunshine.

Race 1 started with everyone around the pin end, with some friendly shouting and not much space. Andy Dale was first to the windward mark followed by Chris Robinson. These two pulled clear from the chasing pack, but after a few legs the cunning "old timer" Henry Jaggers closed the gap and pushed for the lead. However, as these three were concentrating on each other Eddie Pope sneaked into 2nd place. Andy was able to hold on and take the win, followed closely by Eddie then Chris. We all headed back to the club house for a tasty lunch.

Race 2 saw Ben Palmer being pushed over the line, Andy reached the first mark in the lead, but was passed by Eddie on the run and that was the last we saw of him. Andy, Chris and Henry had a great battle, though Andy pulled into a comfortable 2nd in the latter stages of the race, and Henry just held off Chris for 3rd.

Race 3 produced a change of course. With Andy and Eddie both having a one two it was down to the last race to see who would take the day. The start was once again very crowded at the pin end. Chris Robinson proved to be the master this time, judging speed and distance by nailing the start and not giving an inch. Once again Ben was pushed over and onto the mark so had to play catch up. There was confusion at the second windward mark - sometimes the leader goes the wrong way but Chris was right and rounded it to starboard as the rest of the fleet were set up for a port rounding. This focused the fleet and last second dips were needed. Chris escaped down the run and into the distance for the race win. Eddie was ahead of Andy going to the bottom mark and went high to defend his position. So the only choice for Andy was to go low for speed. This paid off and he got in front, and after all the America's Cup racing he had been watching he covered Eddie up the final beat to the finish line to take 2nd with Eddie 3rd.

Comets are popular boats for lady helms and there were 4 ladies in the fleet. Meg Warren was a very popular winner here.

Littleton is a fantastic venue and the Comets look forward to returning in 2025. This was also the final venue of the Comet's Southern Aphelion (regional series). The result here would be based on the best 3 results from the 5 regional events, and 10 helms qualified for the series by entering at least 3 events. Chris, Ben and Eddie were all in with a chance of winning the trophy, and if Eddie had finished in front of Andy in the final race at Littleton then he would have won. However, Ben was able to discard his 5th place at Littleton to triumph.

It is testament to all involved with this long-established class that we still have healthy attendance at our events (23 in 2024 including 2 championships), and are able to successfully run four regional series as well as a national series.

Overall Results:

PosSail NoHelmClubSail typeR1R2R3Pts
1788Andy DaleEoSCS1223
2377Eddie PopeOgSCXw2133
3867Chris RobinsonBuSCXw3414
4800Henry JaggersBeSCXw5378
5597Ben PalmerBWSCS4548
6805Stephen LemmonLiSCS66511
7864Peter MountfordSHSCXw89614
8323Michael EttershankURYCS771014
9174Meg WarrenChSCXw98816
10614Carol ButcherHLSCXw1013919
11868Helen EvansSWSCXw11101121
12695Ken BakerSWSCXw12111223
13703John DeanLiSCS13121325
14346Phil VinsonLiSCSDNC DNC30
15310Laura DowLiSCSDNFDNCDNC32

Related Articles

Comets at Crawley Mariners
After a windless start, much to the RO's relief a moderate westerly wind settled in Seven visitors travelled some considerable distances to Hedgecourt Lake for the Crawley Mariners YC Comet open meeting on Saturday 14th September. They were joined by four home boats for the racing. Posted on 17 Sep
2024 Comet Nationals at Merthyr Tydfil
An excellent turnout of 29 competitors An excellent turnout of 29 competitors plus supporters arrived at the stunning rural location of Merthyr Tydfil Sailing Club, for the 2024 Comet National Championship. Posted on 8 Sep
The Comet Dinghy: A Best-Kept Secret?
A small, light, single-handed dinghy that offers exciting and rewarding sailing The Comet is a small, light, single-handed dinghy that offers exciting and rewarding sailing. Whether you're close racing with other Comets or simply sailing for fun, the Comet appeals to an amazing range of people - juniors, ladies and gents. Posted on 3 Aug
Cransley Comet Open
An unusually warm northerly welcomes the fleet What a miserable year so far in terms of weather! Well, for one day at least, the gods looked down on our wonderful reservoir in Northamptonshire and welcomed 10 visitors as well as the 7 from the home club to a unusually warm northerly. Posted on 17 Jun
Comets at Carsington
They won't forget this day in a hurry! Seven intrepid souls decided to tackle the strong wind forecast at the Carsington Comet Open on 9th June 2024. It was a day where rig choices came into play. Andy Dale, Ben Palmer and Chris Robinson opted for the full Standard. Posted on 16 Jun
Winsford Flash Comet Open
Fantastic conditions for the 20-strong fleet WFSC hosted the Comet Open on Sunday 18th May 2024 in fantastic weather, the sun was out 20d heat and wind was blowing from the North 6.3kts at the start of the day later switching to North East wind 5.8kts with 13kts gusts throughout the event. Posted on 30 May
Comets at Shustoke
Some sailors arrived before the club even opened and rigged outside the compound! Shustoke Sailing club hosted its second Comet Open on Sunday 19th May in glorious sunshine and a pleasant north-easterly breeze blowing diagonally across the 100+ acre reservoir. It was going to be a good sailing day! Posted on 24 May
Comet Association Championships at Silver Wing
18 boats entered from as far away as Beer, Merthyr Tydfil, Ogston and Winsford Flash Silver Wing Sailing club hosted the Comet Association Championships over the weekend of 11/12th May. We had 18 boats entered from as far away as Beer, Merthyr Tydfil, Ogston and Winsford Flash. Posted on 17 May
Comets at Fishers Green SC
Sparkling conditions, although could have done with a bit more wind Fishers Green SC held their annual Comet open meeting on 4th May, as part of their travellers' series. Comets from 8 different clubs enjoyed sparkling conditions although we could have done with a bit more wind! Posted on 9 May
Burghfield Comet Open
A few capsizes on a windy and shifty day Thirteen competitors entered the Comet Open at Burghfield Sailing Club on Saturday 20th April. There was a strong breeze with squalls followed by calm patches which were very shifty. Posted on 22 Apr