Chichester and Dell Quay crews sail for local bragging rights

In race three in the fast fleet, there was close competition between the Laser 2000s and RS 200s.

The top end of the fleet was dominated by CYC, who took the first three places - first were Chris Hodge and Louise Varley (Laser 2000) ahead of Helen and Stephen Green (Laser 2000) and Jenny and Alistair Fletcher (RS200).

In race four, Anne and Jim Norfolk (Laser 2000, DQSC) put in very quick time to take first with Hodge and Varley second and the Greens third.

In the classic fleet, Derek Jackman of CYC and Richard Ede of DQSC, both in Solos, had a close race, with Jackman taking first.

In race four Derek Jackman got away well in his Solo and kept well ahead of the chasing pack to take first, with Peter Hughe second (Solo, CYC) and Ede third.

The only sailor in the slow fleet was Nicola Green, who finished with two firsts.

n Chichester YC’s autumn series final races were held on what seemed to be the last day of summer. Race officers Chris Hodge and Louise Varley stepped in to run the racing at short notice.

In race nine the fast/modern fleet saw Paul and Isabella Mapstone take an early lead in their RS200 but a technical knot-tying failure meant they sailed the race without the spinnaker.

Despite this, possibly favoured by the wind direction, they finished first, with Helen and Mark Green second in their Laser 2000. Third were Rick Page and Ian Selwood, also in a Laser 2000.

Race ten were close, but the Mapstones could not keep far enough ahead of the Greens, who finished first on handicap with the Mapstones second and Page and Selwood third.

Series results: 1 Paul & Isabella Mapstone (RS200), 2 Helen & Mark Green (Laser 2000), 3 Chris Hodge & Louise Varley (Laser 2000).

In the medium/classic fleet, in race nine, Nick and Biddy Colbourne, back to regular racing in their GP 14, led the fleet to take first. There was close racing among the Solo sailors with frequent changes of position. Mark Harper took second just ahead of Derek Jackman.

In race ten, the Colbournes were beaten back into second with visitor D Maclean first his Solo and Peter Hughes third, also in a Solo.

Series results: 1 Meryl Deane (Streaker), 2 Chris Spencer (Laser), 3 Dave Reading (Laser Radial). The latter two did not qualify.

In the slow fleet Jessie Hodge had a good race with Stephen Green, with Hodge taking first on handicap in her Topper, Green second in his Byte and Beth Albone (Topper) third. Only Green and Hodge made it out for race ten.

Hodge was again first and Green second.

Series results: 1 Hannah Thompson (Topper), 2 Stephen Green (Byte), 3 Jessie Hodge (Topper).

FELPHAM

Young sailors from Felpham Sailing Club have been taking part in an event aiming to build on the success of the Olympics.

They were joined by members of Sussex Yacht Club to compete in the annual West sussex OnBoard festival at Lagoon watersports in Hove.

The youngsters, aged eight to 14, competed in fun races in Laser Pico dinghies. Inspired by a summer of Olympic and Paralympic sailing, they also took part in a torch relay on the water.

They had learned to sail through the Royal Yachting Association’s OnBoard scheme, which introduces youngsters to sailing through schools, clubs, training centres and youth groups.

A number of challenges were set. These included stand-up sailing, high-fiving other sailors and even attempting a headstand on the bow of their dinghy.

They also learned the basics of windsurfing.

Sam Rowe, the OnBoard Development Officer who organised the event, said: “We had a fantastic turnout - some kids travelled quite a distance to take part. Despite the building breeze, the sailors all coped very well with minimal capsizes.

“OnBoard is growing in strength in Sussex with the number of young people participating in sailing and windsurfing increasing all the time.”

JOSH HARRISON

The annual ‘long distance’ race was run at Felpham SC. With a time of two hours, it’s more of an endurance race than the typical ‘round-the-cans’ race allowing different people to shine.

This year the weather was the worst for many years with the wind registering a mean speed over 22 knots (force six) and gusts up to 31 knots (force seven – near gale).

The most favoured and experienced crew, an RS200 sailed by Guy and Alex Mayger, capsized at the start.

Richard Bentley eventually won in his Vago, with Callum Aldous crewing.  

The Maygers recovered their boat and made up quite a bit of ground over the two long laps but came second.

Luke Mapley and Chris Bull in Laser radials both retired through fatigue. Tom Anderson and Tom Sargeant went out in a Feva but retired very early when a toestrap broke.  

With the strong wind persisting, the afternoon race was cancelled.