Osprey Open and Southern Area Championship at Poole Yacht Club

Poole Osprey Open © Elysia Ehrhart

With an awesome weather forecast and 18 Ospreys entered for the event over the weekend of 31st May & 1st June, everything looked set for a classic weekend of competitive Osprey sailing. The reality did not disappoint, with 5 races sailed in bright sunshine and moderate to fresh winds from the W and SW, topping out at 29kts in the final race.

In race 1 the fleet experienced some pretty changeable conditions, with some decent shifts to be wrestled with. For the first 2 laps there was a tight battle at the front with 1234 and 1352 sharing the lead. On the final beat 1385 rolled the dice and hit the left corner. This proved to be the decisive move, leaving the finishing order 1385, 1234, 1352.

The results of race 2 were a carbon copy for the podium places. Other boats showed some great potential, with 1357 and 1298 troubling the leaders from time to time.

The final race of the day, brought different boats to the fore in the early stages. 1274 and 1317 were neck and neck at the first windward mark, with 1352 hot on their heels. At the and of the second reach, 1352 managed to round inside to take the lead which they held to the finish.1385 recovered well to take 2nd, with 1317 taking a well deserved 3rd.

So, at the end of day 1, Roger and Jamie in 1285 led the event, with 1352 and 1234 close enough to keep things interesting.

Sunday morning arrived with increased breeze and wall to wall sunshine.

In Race 4, 1234 put in a pretty dominant performance to lead all the way round, with 1352 improving to 2nd and 1276 showing great pace to claim 3rd. After a flying port end start, 1322 suffered a main halyard breakage, which put an unceremonious end to their race.

Poole Osprey Open - photo © Elysia Ehrhart

A further pressure increase made race 5 more interesting again. This time 1322, with a repaired mail halyard, showed what they can do when the breeze pipes up. They led for the first 2 laps, before a set back at the leeward mark left them struggling to drop the kite.

Meanwhile, the fleet generally struggled to master the conditions, with 1385 and 1352 both taking swims on the first lap, along with several other boats. 1234 sailed a very steady race, pouncing on the problems and mistakes experienced by others, to take the race win. 1352 recovered well to claim 2nd, with 1357 3rd.

At this point the fleet voted with their feet, and headed ashore, making the ROs decision to abandon the 6th race pretty easy for him.

Only 2 points separated the top 3 overall, with Terry and Peter in 1234 taking the win, followed by Roger and Jamie in 1385 taking 2nd on tie-break from Oli and Phil in 1352.

Poole Osprey Open Prize Winners - photo © Rachel Angrave

A real stellar weekend of Osprey racing was enjoyed by all, but there will definitely be a few aches and pains on Monday morning! Thanks to all at Poole Yacht Club for hosting a superb event.

Overall Results: