Fresh breeze provides a challenge (From Gazette)

Fresh breeze provides a challenge

9:59am Thursday 21st August 2008 in Sailing

Challenging conditions greeted competitors in the Dabchicks Sailing Club Regatta, marking the start of Mersea Week 2008.

The bright sun gave an excellent sailing day but the fresh breeze made for difficult sailing and caused some breakages, particularly among the older and more classic wooden yachts.

Results: Smacks (Fast): 1 Alberta Barry Tester/Bracken, 2 Ethel Alice Darren Burton, 3 Kate Richard Haines/Gerard Swift.

Smacks (Slow): 1 Dorothy Paul Harding/Rob Lee, 2 Mary Pinky Hewes, 3 Mayfly Dave Whiting.

Classic Yachts and Gaffers: 1 Ruby Peter Rowe, 2 Cygnet of Arden Trevor Green, 3 Tasman Peter Clarke.

Cruisers Slow Handicap: 1 Flair Mike & Sue Ramsay, 2 Zaidinha Dennis Dodd, 3 Bulbul Jim Williams.

Sonata: 1 Camel Toe Simon Farran, 2 Ghostbuster Ian Vince/Brian George, 3 Parody Orrin/Jennings.

Cruiser Medium Handicap: 1 Hartley John Kearin, 2 Prevalence Angela Payne, 3 Liberty Paul Gosling.

East Coast One Design: 1 Gigi Crispin Thomas, 2 Delphine Julie George, 3 Chittabob David Barnett.

Stella: 1 Estrella Tom Taylor Jones, 2 Stella Lyra Trevor Spiro, 3 Persephone Roger Reid.

Cruiser Fast Handicap: 1 Destiny Ed Taylor & Martin Wiggins, 2 Skybird Vic Prior & Julian Lord, 3 Starfall II John Clifton.

West Solent One Design: 1 Halloween Adrian Mulville, 2 Black Adder Richard & Sue Taylor, 3 Mischief Kevin Fuller.

Mersea Fishermen’s Open Boats (Fast): 1 Thrift David Haynes, 2 Pewit Philip Owen, 3 Vendetta Liam Boyd.

Mersea Fishermen’s Open Boats (Slow): 1 Eccles Peter Clements, 2 Beth Ian Sharpe, 3 Serenity Jackie Morley.

Dinghy Slow Handicap: 1 Topper Luke Whyburd, 2 Sea Ranger John Kent & Linda Kent.

Dinghy Medium Handicap: 1 Enterprise Brian Cumming, 2 Laser Radial Will Powell, 3 Laser Radial Janek Payne.

Dinghy Medium Fast Handicap: 1 Phantom Matthew House, 2 Topaz Omega Simon Jacklin, 3 Laser Keith Stubbs.

Dinghy Fast Handicap: 1 RS 600 Michael Iszatt, 2 29er Emily Broadhurst.

For the first points race of Mersea Week, the competitors still had the sun but the wind had freshened and, with gusts of 30 knots, the decision was taken to cancel the dinghy and MFOB racing.

Cruiser competitors sailed a shorter course, which the race officer planned to give the boats a good race but to get them back into harbour before the forecast wind increased to gale force.

Again the racing was a test of boat handling skills in the rough weather and there were more breakages on the highly-stressed racing boats with at least one breaking her mast.

Unfortunately the wind increased overnight and, with a gale warning in force, the decision was taken to abandon all racing for Tuesday.

RESULTS: Smacks (Fast): 1 Harriet Blanche Andy White, 2 Alberta Barry Tester/Bracken, 3 Kate Richard Haines/Gerard Swift.

Smacks (Slow): 1 Boadicea Reuben Frost, 2 Mayfly Dave Whiting, 3 Mary Jon Jacobs.

Classic Yachts and Gaffers: 1 Tasman Peter Clarke, 2 Cygnet of Arden Trevor Green, 3 Ruby Peter Rowe.

Cruisers Slow Handicap: 1 Wild Goose Jane Richardson, 2 Solus Steve Graham and Paul McGinity, 3 Zaidinha Dennis Dodd.

Cruiser Medium Handicap: 1 Hannelore Dave Curtis, 2 Bargoose Mike Edwards/Dave Lewis, 3 Hartley John Kearin.

Sonata: Camel Toe Simon Farran, 1 Parody Orrin/Jennings, 2 Aubie Too Roger Sydenham/Tony Hawkes.

East Coast One Design: 1 Gigi Crispin Thomas, 2 Delphine Julie George, 3 Chittabob David Barnett.

Stella: 1 Stella Peacock Alan Jones, 2 Centaur Sebastian King, 3 Stella Lyra 1 Trevor Spiro.

Cruiser Fast Handicap: 1 Skybird Vic Prior & Julian Lord, 2 Destiny Ed Taylor & Martin Wiggins, 3 Zombie Zoo Simon Clifton.

West Solent One Design: 1 Halloween Adrian Mulville, 2 Black Adder Richard & Sue Taylor, 3 Mischief Kevin Fuller.