WASZP Itchenor GP at Itchenor Sailing Club

WASZP Itchenor GP © Sarah Wood

Twenty-seven WASZPs made the trip to Chichester Harbour for the Itchenor GP, with bright autumn sunshine, a strong flood tide and the first real touch of winter in the air.

Eight races were sailed across the weekend, five on Saturday and three on Sunday. Max Rawlinson won the event with six race wins from eight, discarding a 2nd and a 3rd to finish on 6 points. Thomas Dempsey was second on 12 and James Deaton third on 18.

WASZP Itchenor GP - photo © Sarah Wood

Saturday

The day started with a full race briefing, including some valuable input from the local sailors on the harbour and tide. The fleet low-rided out through the moorings, then had a lively downwind blast to the start line once clear of them.

The race team ran five windward-leeward races in a building north-north-easterly. With a strong flood tide running against it, conditions got properly lively at times, especially in the heavier gusts.

WASZP Itchenor GP - photo © Sarah Wood

Max set the pace by winning race 1. James Deaton answered in race 2 and Thomas Dempsey took race 3. Max then won races 4 and 5 to end the day with a clear lead. Dempsey was the most consistent of the chasers, with nothing worse than a 3rd all day. Deaton's retirement in race 4 cost him, but his win and a 2nd kept him firmly in the mix. James Broad was the top U17, never finishing outside the top six. Felix Gladman was the top 6.9 rig, holding his own in the mid-fleet all day.

The evening social featured lasagne at the club, which was very welcome after a cold day on the water.

Sunday

Sunday was colder still, but bright. After the morning briefing, racing began with a NASCAR race across the channel. With the wind gusting 25kn+, it was a spectacular sight: extreme WASZP racing, fast and furious. Max took the win again. James Broad came second and Raffy Seddon third, Raffy also being the top 7.5 rig.

WASZP Itchenor GP - photo © Sarah Wood

The fleet then went back to windward-leeward racing for the final two races. Max won both, completing his six bullets. Dempsey's 4th and 2nd secured second overall. Deaton's 3rd in both races kept him on the podium, two points clear of James Broad. Broad finished the day 2, 2, 5 and took fourth overall and top U17.

A big thank you to Itchenor Sailing Club, the race officer and team, the safety boat crews and the volunteers ashore for a fantastic weekend of racing and hospitality.

Category winners:

• Top Female: Helena Mills Bowers
• Top U17: James Broad
• Top Master: Peter Hoyle
• Top Super Master: Philip Gladman
• Top 7.5 rig: Raffy Seddon
• Top 6.9 rig and top U15: Felix Gladman

Overall Results: