XOD Class at Itchenor Keelboat Week, sponsored by Soak Insure & McClarrons Affinty

XODs at Itchenor Keelboat Week © Sula Riedlinger

Twenty-five XODs, including three out-of-town visitors, came to the starting line of Itchenor Sailing Club's annual five-day regatta.

The sun shone. The wind blew on four days out of five. We were treated to a series of high-water courses which allowed us to sail two-hour races all over the harbour entrance. It was a cracking week.

X91 at Itchenor Keelboat Week - photo © Sula Riedlinger

John Tremlett in Astralita dominated the results, with four firsts and a discarded second. In every race, John managed to be in the leading group off the starting line. Thereafter, he just sailed faster than anyone else. You cannot ask for a better winning formula. Not only that, but he is charming to race against. I have never heard him shout, and he is the ultimate clean competitor.

Some way behind were Roger Yeoman in Xcitation ('a first,two thirds and a fifth) in second and Richard Faukner in Swallow, visiting from Hamble (two seconds, a fourth and a fifth) in third.

X81 at Itchenor Keelboat Week - photo © Sula Riedlinger

After that there were a gaggle of about ten boats, all competing to be "the best of the rest", and all of roughly equal standard. The skippers include Olympians and past national class champions - in other words, a skilful lot.

This year, David Palmer (writer of this article), in Princess Jalina, aged 85 with a couple of knees turning to jelly, took fourth, Penny Fulford in Madeleine took fifth, and Colin McKinnon in Catherine sixth.

Itchenor's XOD fleet competes to a very high standard. It is fun sailing and tight racing, and a great class feeling off the water.

Overall Results: (top ten)