RS Elite sailing season draws to a close at Hayling Island Sailing Club

RS Elite season draws to a close at Hayling Island © S Whitby

The season ended with twelve boats taking to the water for the final race of the Crabbers Nip series.

After losing a day due to no wind, and two days with too much wind, this year's RS Elite winter series at Hayling Island SC was a 'stop start' affair. Sixteen boats competed in the series which consists of one long windward leeward race on Sundays from the beginning of November to Christmas.

The Crabbers Nip trophy was donated to the HISC fleet by Olympic bronze medallist Ossie Stewart who lives near the club in a house called Crabbers Nip.

With incredibly tight racing the key was consistency as there had been a different boat taking line honours each week. The first race of the series was won by Nick Peters, Paul Fisk & Debbie Jarvis; race two was won by Tom & Jo Hewitson with Colin Smith in the middle. Ossie Stewart, Ian Tillet & Geoff Carveth got the bullet in race three which meant it was all down to the final race of the series.

Pete Copsey crewed by Andre Ozanne (Jubby this week) plus Rob Ashman, had sailed a consistent series and looked like they were going to take the trophy when they rounded the first windward mark in the lead. The chasing pack were very close behind and Fish crewed by his son Freddie & Jarrod Simpson climbed through to the front; Ossie dropped back to 9th whilst Colin, helming this time, had Adam Curley multi-tasking as front and middleman, clawed through the fleet to cross the line in 2nd which was enough to win the series for his team.

The fleet headed back to the bar and then into the dining room for a delicious Sunday roast followed by the prize-giving. Colin Smith was thanked for his role as Class Captain for the last five years after he presented the prizes for the year's racing.

RS Elites at Hayling Island SC - photo © S Whitby

Winners:

Crabbers Nip - Tom & Jo Hewitson, Colin Smith
Pennant Series - Adrian & Sarah Ward plus various crews
Sprint Series - Tom & Jo Hewitson, Colin Smith
Early Sundowner - Russell Peters, Greg Wells, Zeb Elliott
Late Sundowner - Pete Copsey, Andre Ozanne, Rob Ashman

Crabbers Nip Results:

Early Sundowner Results:

Late Sundowner Results: