Graduate Southern Championship and Open at Chipstead Sailing Club

The 2025 Graduate Open at Chipstead Sailing Club, alongside the Heron Nationals, was spread over 1.5 days this year. It was a gusty and blustery affair, with a strong north-easterly breeze throughout.

Before the first race (of five) the anticipation was palpable. There was a cacophony of noise from the foreshore, as the fevered tap-tapping of the rigging on the masts, the crackle and crack of the sails and the thumping of jib sheets on hulls drowned out other noise as strong gusts buffeted the eleven Chipstead Grads. The race organisers were particularly delighted (albeit slightly nervous) to see bold newcomers Michael King and daughter Scarlett (11 years) braving the conditions after only two months of sailing experience.

Race one got under way on time, with a biased line at the start (port tack the only option). Roger Cherrill & Sarah Jane Critchley got off to a flying start from half-way down the line, as clean air powered them away through the narrows with John Clementson & Mel Titmuss and Alan Warren & Marion White in close pursuit. By the time the sailors had reached the top mark, Roger & Sarah Jane were still in the lead. Ric Lewis & Harry Durrant recovered well after a tangle at the start, having made their way up through fleet to fourth with the remainder in a bunch behind, struggling with the gusty conditions.

Graduate Southern Championship at Chipstead - photo © Bob Murrell

At end of the first lap, in the small run between windward marks B and A, John & Mel fell foul of the Wind Gods (only momentarily, it later transpired) and very nearly broached, but with good reactions somehow managed to recover and continue in second place.

As the race progressed, John & Mel managed to overtake Roger & Sarah Jane, and finished in front, closely followed by Ric & Harry in second, and Roger & Sarah Jane in third. Alan & Marion had to settle for fourth place, followed by James Webber & Helen Recardo in fifth, Hank & Paula Peacock in a creditable sixth. Favourites Bob & Maggie Murrell had to retire from the competition following a capsize, Bob sustaining an injury whilst righting their beautiful Butler-built boat from a turtle position.

Graduate Southern Championship at Chipstead - photo © Bob Murrell

After lunch, race two saw Andrew Hubble & Sandra Jordan joined the racing, making up for lost time by streaking away from the start line, closely followed by Alison & Nicola Marsh, who also managed an excellent start, and John & Mel not far behind, James Webber and Helen Recardo in close pursuit. Andrew & Sandra seemed the most comfortable in the wild conditions, as the wind continued to be gusty from the north-east. The usual pecking order established itself halfway through the race, with John & Mel taking up their usual place at the top, Ric & Harry fighting their way to second, and Andy & Sandra edging out Roger & Sarah Jane to finish in third. Special mention here to Michael and Scarlett for managing to complete the race in tenth place.

Race three was very close for second, third and fourth, with Roger & Sarah Jane just managing to hold their nerve and hold off Ric & Harry and Andy & Sandra as they rounded the windy windward mark at B, finishing in second place behind John & Mel who were, as usual, in first place.

One the second day and for the final two races, the wind had strengthened further, with strong gusts and a darkening sky. Technical failure put Michael & Scarlett out shortly before the start of race four, and the conditions proved too much for Roger & Sarah Jane, who were forced to retire and joined the Murrells and Alison and Nicola and the other spectators in the clubhouse. John & Mel continued to demonstrate their dominance with another first place, with Ric & Harry finishing strongly in second and Alan & Marion with their best race of the contest in third.

Graduate Southern Championship at Chipstead - photo © Bob Murrell

For the final race, and just seven boats left on the water John & Mel yet again led the way home, with Andy & Sandra not far behind in second, Ric & Harry in third, James & Helen in an impressive fourth in front of Alan & Marion, Hank & Paula in sixth, and Gareth & Polly Colesmith in seventh.

This meant that yet again, John & Mel won the Open competition, with Ric & Harry in second, and Andy & Sandra managing third despite only participating in four races.

A big thank you to Mick Kostiw and his duty team for organising the best possible racing in such challenging conditions. Congratulations to overall winners John & Mel, special congratulations to junior sailors Harry and Scarlett, and to all competitors for giving it their all.

Overall Results: