Contender Travellers' Series Round 7 at Itchenor Sailing Club

Round Seven of the Contender traveller series took place on the 19/20 September hosted by, new venue to the Contender fleet, Itchenor Sailing Club. Saturday was overcast and some big gusts coming through, with the knowledge that we would be going out and being exposed to more.

After the rigging and readying the fleet waited for the first lemming to launch into the uncharted waters, with no one being entirely certain about where and how quickly the water would run out whilst trying to get out to the race area, whilst also dodging the moored yachts. Slow, steady and conservative did the job with everyone getting out to the committee boat anchored off Thorney Island.

Prior to the first race a fleet of Victorys went of the same line, giving some guidance as to the best route up the course into the flooding tide. Out of the first start there was a long drag race Starboard tack with Simon showing his heavy air pace he was the first to break back to the right, with Ed Presley and Jame Spikesley following not long after. Ed managed to get a better line into the windward mark to round just ahead of Simon, followed by James. The reaches were broad, but with a short wave setup surfing was an, but it came with a risk of submersion. Simon Rounded the leeward mark just ahead of Ed, however when starting back upwind Simon found himself face to face with a keelboat, and indecision left him capsizing and letting Ed through, never to be seen again in the race. Simon managed to get himself back up and running to keep a second and James in Third.

Race two saw another starboard drag race, by which time Simon had his eye in and romped away leaving a still rapid Ed in his wake, who in turn left Tom Hooton behind. Up one of the beats Tom managed to find his way past Ed and into second and the main places were locked in with Simon winning, Tom second and Ed in Third.

The third and final race started in some increased gusts and the committee making the sailors work for it with a much-extended beat. Following the theme of the previous races first part beat was the long Starboard tack, with the exception of new to the fleet(again) James Ross, whose bravery left him floundering with an attempted port tack flyer. However, his knowledge of the area meant he wasn't far away come the top of the beat. However, Simon and Ed were gone, leaving a tussle between James and Tom for the final podium spot. Tom managed to fend James off leaving the final race result as Simon first, Ed second and Tom third.

Sunday presented a very different picture with arrival of sunshine, lighter wind and the current National Champion. At least we knew the way out to the racecourse this time so onto the water with little delay. There was less water than the previous day and with the wind coming over Thorney Island, there were going to be some soul crushers out there.

Race four started with the last of the ebb and uncertainty about which tack was going to pay, with tacks for clean air and the right of the beat paying off, Ed continuing his current form managed to round first, with Graeme Willcox not far behind followed by James. Graeme found his way past Ed on the downwind and once ahead carried on pulling away for the win, Ed held on to second and Jame secured third.

Race five with a bit more breeze, seemed to still pay out to the right but, still had to keep an eye on shifts, however temporary with Graeme, Ed and Tom rounding in close proximity, Graeme again finding the front then pulling away, Tom and Ed fought all the way round before Tom secured 2nd from Ed in third.

Race six, the third and final race of the Sunday, and more options up the beat with the fleet more split, it was close at the top mark with Graeme, Ed, Tom and James in close proximity however of the second beat with the leading group being taken out to the right, and Graeme doing a great job of keeping his speed on and rounding first, whilst the others tacked back to see Nick Curry and Nathan McGrory coming in on different breeze from the left. After more snakes and ladders for the lesser placings the race finished with Graeme taking first, Nathan in second and Nick closing out in third.

The final results, much to Ed bemusement was Ed Presley taking the event with his consistency near the top, Simon Mussell in second and Tom Hooton in third. A huge thank you to Itchenor Sailing Club for hosting and the race committee for getting all off the races off efficiently, we look forward to coming back.

Overall Results: