Osprey Open at Lee-on-the-Solent Sailing Club
by Mick Greenland 16 Jul 2010 10:26 BST
10-11 July 2010
Conflicting events and just 2 weeks before the Porthpean Nationals meant a low turnout at Lee-on-Solent for the Ospreys. What did you all miss? F3-4 and 24°C on both days - perfect.
The club is split into two premises with the compound on the foreshore and the club house about 500yds walk on the main road over looking the Solent to the IOW (5 miles away), with fantastic views.
Parking on the sea front is free with plenty of spaces if you are early, the downside, the club has to beg and pay the local council to park (car and boat) on the adjacent grass next to the foreshore compound. The club house has all the facilities you could wish for, i.e. bar and dinning area and we had an excellent meal on Saturday night included in our entry fee; all prepared and cooked by club members.
The racing was the usual affair of triangles and sausages, starting and finishing half way up the beat. Race 1and 2 saw Martin Cooney and Peter Frith 1290 home first, with Philip Popple and Robin Hobson 1331 second with Mick Greenland and Jerry Dixon 1322 and Ken Brown, Chris Butters 1338 swapping places for 3rd and 4th followed not far behind by our star helmswoman Alex Willis with Dad (Nick) pulling the strings. Nick was spotted letting her down on the odd occasion but his advancing years are taken into account and Alex did not give the vocal encouragement Nick was used to of old.
Sunday started cloudy with F5-6 SW but as the racing started the wind eased to F4 and the sun took over for the rest of the day. Unfortunately Philip Popple had to leave which left 4 of us and the racing started to get tighter with places changing on every part of the course. Race 4 had even greater changes with 1322 leading at the windward mark and Alex and Nick took over 2nd at the first gybe. By now 1322 was well clear but on the last run, a few good puffs closed the gap to 1322 and within the last 10m of the leeward mark Martin and Peter were on the transom of 1322 and the beat to the finish saw their skill shine through to power pass and take line honours.
Great event, more boats next year, thank you LOSSC for being excellent hosts.
Overall Results:
1st 1290, Martin Coony & Peter Frith (Poole YC) 3pts
2nd 1322, Mick Greenland & Jerry Dixon (I O Sheppey SC) 7pts
3rd 1338, Ken Brown & Chris Butters (I O Sheppey SC) 9pts
4th 1331, Philip Popple & Robin Hobson (Shoreham SC) 10pts
5th 1292, Alex Willis & Nick Willis (Hayling Island SC) 13pts