Streaker streaks ahead at Dell Quay

Malcolm Buchanan got off to a good start in his Solo and kept up with the faster boats up the first beat, leaving the other Solos behind.

The long run back from Longmore proved a series of zig-zags for the asymmetric dinghies which allowed those who could sail straight down wind to slip through the middle.

The gusty conditions, which made for some exhilarating sailing downwind, also caused several capsizes.

First over the finishing line were Anne and Jim Norfolk (Laser 2000) followed by the Solos of Buchanan and Chris Ede.

However the Streaker sailed by Chris Wood just stole the lead on handicap from Buchanan as they picked up a better wind on the final leg, Ede taking third.

On Sunday the wind that had been gusting over 30 mph during the day subsided in time for the Evening Series race.

First to cross the line were Rob Corfield and Ben Cummings (RS 400) followed by Bill Dawber and Charlotte Tester. However the Solo of Chris Ede was never far behind the faster boats and his win on handicap moves him into the lead in the series ahead of Dawber.

BOSHAM

Last Saturday saw the annual battle for the Harbour Challenge Cup between Bosham Sailing Club and West Wittering Sailing Club - the 14th time the challenge has been contested. 

The race was held on ‘neutral’ water in the middle of Chichester Harbour with the two clubs sending fleets of dinghies to race for the cup. 

Some 43 dinghies arrived at the start for three separate races. 

Winds were very light and the race officer delayed the start for 30 minutes to allow the breeze to pick up. 

A challenging course in the light wind was set, taking the boats down to East Head then up to Thorney Island before running back up the harbour to the finish. 

A Finn sailed by David Rankin of Bosham won the fast division, a Devon Yawl from West Wittering crewed by John and Ann Carnegie took first place in the medium fleet and the win for Bosham was clinched by Suzanne Brown in her Tideway.

After a gap of four years, the cup is back at Bosham for another year.

FEDERATION WEEK

The annual dinghy extravaganza in Chichester Harbour – Federation Regatta Week – gets under way on Monday (August 15), with the usual fleet of around 400 boats expected.

Competing craft will range from the fastest foiling Moths to junior introductory dinghies such as Optimists and Teras, racing in three separate series totalling 17 starts.

While the Moths and speedy asymmetric dinghies will fly round the biggest course stretching from close to the harbour mouth towards Itchenor, the youngsters will have a smaller circuit closer to Hayling Island SC, which is hosting the five-day event organised by the federation of harbour sailing clubs.

With three races to count towards the prizes, and entry possible for the week or single days, sunshine sailors can make last-minute decisions to compete. For further details, see www.chifed.org