Halloween Spooks the Young Guns at Chipstead Sailing Club
by Simon Gillow & Rebecca Asker 5 Nov 16:16 GMT
31 October 2026
At the end of every season we run the Young Guns event at Chipstead SC, giving all the Chipmates the opportunity to put everything they have learnt during the season into practice in a two-race series. This year's event took place on 31st October, which meant that quite a few sailors turned up in fancy dress!
When the duty crew arrived at 0830, a very spooky fog was hanging over the lake. In fact, we couldn't even see the nearest mark! The fog gradually cleared and by the 0930 briefing we could just about make out most of the marks and even see the other side of the lake. The wind, however, was still non-existent. The race officer crossed his fingers and went ahead, setting a short course based on the forecast wind direction.
The sailors were split into two fleets; the main comprised our more experienced sailors, while the all-girl rookie fleet was made up of five who had only started sailing this year. The main fleet started first on a larger course, with the rookies setting off five minutes later on a slightly shorter course.
As the 33 boats launched, the faintest zephyr of wind arrived and gradually began to build, thankfully from the forecast direction. The 28-boat main fleet was first away, with Tom's ILCA 6 taking an early lead, closely followed by Sam in his ILCA 7. As the wind strengthened, the leading boats managed four laps, but the faster boats couldn't pull far enough ahead of Adam and Joshua Gillow's Mirror. After handicaps were applied, the Gillow brothers took the win, followed by the Toppers of Alexander and Will S, Mim just behind in her ILCA 4. Meanwhile, the rookie fleet was enjoying its own race on the smaller course. Aisling sailed her Topper brilliantly to take the win, ahead of the Optimists sailed by Astrid and India Rose.
After a brief break ashore, the race committee decided that the wind had built sufficiently to change the course for race two, making use of the full length of the lake - something that isn't possible during Junior Saturday morning sailing.
In the main fleet, Mim took an early lead, with the Feva of Aidan and Honor (aka Mr and Mrs Incredible) and Will WO's ILCA 4 also clearly enjoying the larger course. The faster boats managed two laps, while Adam and Joshua's Mirror found it harder to pull away from George in his Topper. However, they eventually built enough of a gap to take the win on handicap, with George finishing second and Mim third. In the rookie fleet, Aisling once again showed her class in the Topper, pulling sufficiently far ahead of the other sailors to secure another win, ahead of India Rose and Astrid.
Final results saw Adam and Joshua taking home the Young Guns trophy as well as the Brian Osgood trophy for the first double-hander, with Aisling crowned rookie fleet winner.
Prizewinners:
1st overall (and 1st double-hander) - Adam & Joshua
2nd overall - Mim
3rd overall - Alexander
2nd girl - Beatrice
3rd boy - Will WO
3rd girl - Amy
Highest placed in fancy dress - Aidan & Honor
1st Club Oppie - Monty
1st club Topper - Izzy
1st rookie - Aisling
2nd rookie - India Rose
3rd rookie - Astrid
Young Guns was a great end to the season, and a fitting celebration of everything our Juniors have learnt throughout the year. The racing was followed by the Junior AGM and prize-giving which included an opportunity for everyone to watch the RYA film, filmed at our mid-summer regatta morning to celebrate our RYA Young Person's award. Thank you to the race committee, safety team and event organisers for putting on another brilliant event to celebrate Junior sailing at Chipstead and thank you to Rooster, C-monsta, RS Sailing and SailingFast for providing prizes throughout the season.