Osprey class at Saundersfoot Sailing Club for Coppet Week 2025

Osprey class at Saundersfoot for Coppet Week © SSC

Saundersfoot Sailing Club's Coppet Week was held in its usual Whitsun half-term calendar slot from Sunday 25th to Friday 30th May. This was a busy period for Osprey sailing with the Scottish & Northern Championship and Hayling Open on the first weekend and the Southern Area Championship immediately afterwards.

Despite the clash in schedules, there were five Ospreys entered into the 54 strong handicap fleet, which ranged all the way from a Tera up to the Osprey. The largest fleet was the Solos with six, followed by the five Ospreys and five Phantoms, along with four RS200's and D-Zeros. So, next year let's make the Ospreys the biggest fleet.

Over the last decade Coppet has delivered a wonderful week of sitting on the beach or in one of the many beer gardens that Saundersfoot has to offer, enjoying a mixture of early summer breezes that fits perfectly with the ethos of the week - a family week with competitive racing to enjoy. This week was however looking to be a challenge for the race officer with a fruity forecast.

Sunday dawned with a bright sunny day and early morning call was that racing was on. But by 9:30 the race officer out in the bay was recording 20 knots with gusts over 25knots, so racing was cancelled for the day.

Monday's racing got under way early with a 10:30 start. The wind was a fresh South Westerly in the 16 to 20 knot range. There was a heavy port bias to the line which give a good jump to boats at that end who could get on to port early. At the first mark it was Osprey 1365 with Dave & Maurice getting round first with a clear lead followed by Osprey 1380 with Dan & Matt. The race continued for two laps with 1365 extending it's lead. During the Osprey's 3rd lap the wind freshened and gave some top speed Osprey sailing with gusts in the high 20s.

Lap 4 then had the wind drop dramatically and shift making the last reach into a run with boats struggling to keep kites flying. At the finish it was a good race for the Ospreys with four boats in the top 10 out of the 29 that finished. 1365 was first and 1380 3rd, with a Solo sneaking into 2nd place, benefiting from not doing the last lap in the light winds. Gareth & Jon sailing the wooden boat came home 5th with Oscar crewed by Paul Griffiths in 7th. Considering the range in boats and conditions there was only 75 secs between 2nd and 8th place.

The race officer was going to call it a day but due to the wind dropping managed to fit in Sunday's postponed race. The line was squarer this time and 1331 Gareth & Jon came in from the left to round first followed closely by 1365 and 1380. At the gybe mark it was almost three abreast and this continued down to the leeward mark. On the 2nd beat 1331 had dropped back, which we later found out was due to gear failure, with mast support gate collapsing at deck level.

1380 had a lead going in to lap three. 1365 got a good shift to round windward mark with 1380 and after an infringement and some prompt turns by 1380, 1365 was out in front. The wind at this stage had returned to morning levels of freshness. 1365 took a swim at the gybe mark which was followed by 1380 following to do the swim. 1365 flipped again and this time came up with the mast snapped at spreaders. In the mean time 1380 had recovered to take the Osprey win and came 3rd on handicap behind a Kestrel and a Scorpion which took the victory.

Tuesdays race was cancelled early leaving the day free to enjoy what Pembrokeshire has to offer.

Wednesday dawned with sun and winds in a more manageable range from 12 to gusts in high teens. 1348 with Oscar crewed today by Maurice led at the first mark and was being pushed hard by Keith & Andy who were enjoying life in their Fireball. 1380 had a slow start and left themselves too much to do. 1348 finished with a comfortable win on the water, coming 2nd on handicap to a very well sailed Kestrel. The race team swapped to a trapezoid course for Race 4. Dan led at the first windward mark, 1348 not too far back.

At the finish 1380 took the win on handicap with 1348 being equal 2nd with a Phantom.

Thursdays racing was cancelled early again allowing another free day.

Overall results:

1. Osprey 1380 - Dan and Matt
2. Kestrel
3. Osprey 1348 - Oscar and Paul / Maurice
4. Merlin Rocket
5. Merlin Rocket
6. Osprey 1331 - Gareth and Jon

So another good week for the Ospreys with three boats in top six.

Friday was the traditional pursuit race but for a variety of reasons only Dan & Matt made it to the start for the Ospreys.

This was a quieter day overall but the fleet had a lovely sail. The Teras enjoyed a decent spell at the front of the field which was great to see. They were eventually overhauled by the Redwing, which led for quite a while until the faster boats worked their way through.

Pursuit Race results:

1. Kestrel
2. D Zero
3. Merlin
4. Merlin
5. Osprey
6. Scorpion

Again, it was a great week with many great social events both formal and informal and well run by the Race team, rescue team and shore teams with catering and bar.

Hopefully will see a few more Ospreys join in the fun next year.

The next Pembrokeshire event is Tenby Regatta and Round Caldy race the week after the Craftinsure Osprey National Championship being hosted by Mumbles Yacht Club from 3rd to 6th July.

Osprey class at Saundersfoot for Coppet Week - photo © SSC