It's a holiday for schools - but not for sailors at Chichester

Consistent racing in this short series leaves many of the positions still to be decided in the final races this weekend (Sunday, March 6).

High pressure brought some sunshine but light wind sailing was the order of the day.

A total of 16 boats joined the fast fleet. In race seven, the fleet was dominated by the Merlin Rockets.

Steve and Sarah Cockerill in a Scorpion had a close battle with some of the Merlins, and managed to take first place.

Second were series leaders William and Sophie Mackley (Merlin Rocket), with the rest of the Merlin Fleet taking places three to six.

In race eight, the Mackleys put in a very fast time on the water, taking first place and pushing the Cockerills into second. Jon Gossing and Toby Lewis (Merlin Rocket) were third.

The medium fleet was, as usual, the largest fleet with 24 boats. The fluky conditions were a challenge.

John Tremlett (Finn), having won races one to six, dropped a couple of places to third, while Nick and Biddy Colbourne (GP14), making the most of their spinnaker in the light winds, took first place. Second was Greg Swift (Solo).

Tremlett got the measure of the conditions in race eight and put in a cracking pace to finish first again.

Nick and Biddy Colbourne, flying the CYC flag, were second with Derek Jackman third in his Solo.

In the slow fleet with some of the regular sailors absent, it was a chance for some of the other keen youngsters to prove their worth and move up the fleet.

Ross Watkins and Ben Thompson had a close fight in their Toppers with Watkins finishing just ahead.

Charlie Elliott and Izzy Porter got going with light wind sailing in Optimists with Elliott taking first place and Porter second. Third was the consistent Hannah Gibbs in her Tera.

In race eight the light conditions caused a number of the fleet to retire early. Paul and Jack Fisk took first place in their RS Feva, Toby Scofield (Laser 4.7) was second and Hannah Gibbs (RS Tera) third.

This Sunday’s final races begin at 11am.

n Chichester Yacht Club members will make their annual trip to the RYA/Volvo Dinghy Show at Alexandra Palace in London this weekend.

It is the 60th Dinghy Show and club members will be on the Chichester YC stand throughout the weekend to promote Chichester Harbour as a sailing area and talk up what the club have to offer.

Bosham Sailing Club will also be exhibiting.

It is an opportunity for sailors to meet up with other clubs from around the UK and check out the wide range of dinghies on display, and consider what they wish to sail in the coming months.