British Contender Association National Travellers' Trophy Series at Hythe and Saltwood Sailing Club

There were fourteen entries for the 4th round of the British Contender Association National Travellers' Trophy Series which was held at Hythe and Saltwood Sailing Club on the weekend of 6th and 7th June.

Unfortunately, the first day of the event was blown off with the wind gusting up to 40mph and the day was given over to bimbling, sail measurement (in readiness for the forthcoming Worlds) and exploring the delights of Hythe. In the evening there was an enjoyable chilli supper at the club with the prospect of a more favourable forecast for the next day.

Contender Travellers at Hythe and Saltwood - photo © Simon Dodds

The forecast for Sunday was 15-30mph south west and this was pretty much what we got with the club weather station recording 15mph average gusting 24mph for the first hour of racing and 19mph gusting 27mph for the second hour.

The conditions were fairly challenging (the figures above perhaps don't quite do them justice) with the south westerly direction producing some sizeable waves. The result was eventful racing with a number of capsizes, breakages and retirements. The other consequence was that the author of this report was far too busy trying to keep his boat upright and navigating the course, than to memorise an accurate account of the events of each race!

Contender Travellers at Hythe and Saltwood - photo © Simon Dodds

So, with apologies for omissions, errors and lack of detail I can recall the following:

1. Poor old Rob Smith was the first retirement with a snapped lower stay. Fortunately, he was able to get ashore without further damage.

2. There was a general recall for the start of the first race. On the restart Graeme Wilcox and your author attempted port tack flyers at the pin end. Graeme managed to clear the fleet; your author did not and had to weave his way through the boats on starboard and won't be trying that manoeuvre again in a hurry!

3. The first reach was full on trapezing and James Spikesley had a lengthy capsize on this leg.

4. Richard Buttner also suffered a lengthy capsize at the windward mark and having eventually extricated himself from a rather nerve-wracking entanglement decided to call it a day for the second retirement of the day.

5. The first race was won by Simon Mussell with Graeme Wilcox in second and Ed Presley third. I am sorry not to be able to recount if there was any dramatic place changing between these three (and Tom Hooton in fourth).

6. There was a general recall on the start of the second race and sensibly the Race Officer repositioned the pin end mark as it was becoming quite tricky to lay on starboard and was particularly difficult to judge with the tide pushing you course-side. It took some time for the recall to be communicated to the whole fleet, some of whom were not too distant from the windward mark by the time they got the message. James Spikesley took the decision to retire at this point.

7. The remainder of the fleet got away on the second start. Tom Hooton capsized on the penultimate reach allowing your author through to fifth place. The first three places, as per the first race, went to Simon, Graeme and Ed respectively with Dan Hollands in fourth.

8. The third and final race got under way without a recall! The wind and sea state were well up now. Graeme Wilcox managed to go so fast that he completely delaminated his centreboard, making him the fourth retirement of the day.

9. Simon Mussell capsized at the wing mark (or thereabouts) resulting in his worst finish. It's notable that the conditions did not generally allow for quick recovery and capsizes were costly.

10. Dan Hollands, who should be writing this report, had his forestay snap at the T-terminal at the end of the first lap, making him the fifth retiree. Amazingly, Dan's mast did not immediately topple and he was able to lower his sail and get ashore without suffering further damage.

11. There was drama at the finish as Ed did not see the shortened course flag and had to tack back allowing Tom Hooton to slip through to take the win with Ed in second and your author third.

12. Honourable mentions should go to Adrian Smith and Nick Curry for sticking it out and completing the three races.

Commendably, those who had retired, and those who had remained ashore, were togged up and ready to assist the landings of all craft and with good spirit this was successfully accomplished without any breakages.

Overall, the win went to Simon, narrowly ahead of Ed (no doubt ruing the finish of the last race) and Tom Hooton third. Dan Holland's disappointment at snapping his forestay was somewhat assuaged by the realisation he had narrowly avoided fourth place and the report writing task!

Contender Travellers at Hythe and Saltwood - photo © Simon Dodds

Many thanks to Simon Dodds, Rear Commodore HSSC, for organising the event and to Chris Barnes, Race Officer, and his crew, for running the racing and setting a good course. Thanks also to all members of HSSC who assisted with safety cover, mark laying, launching and recovery - you all did a fine job.

For further drama the next instalment of the BCA Travellers' series takes place at Felpham Sailing Club on 20th/21st June.

Overall Results: