Scorching sailing in Bexhill-on-Sea

The wonderful heatwave of the Late May Bank Holiday weekend saw a total of 21 helms compete in the Late May Short Series at Bexhill Sailing Club. Nobody would have minded a capsize or two, but they weren't forthcoming!

The high tide was late in the day, so the races were too. Race 1 started towards Eastbourne around a triangular course.  The light afternoon sea breeze turned into a stronger south-westerly wind and larger swell than forecast. This made the run very unstable, with waves coming at the boats sideways, but that did mean that after the gybe mark the broad reach was a really fun surfing competition!

Richard Eagleton (Europe), who should have been at the Firefly South West Championship at Restronguet Sailing Club near Falmouth, except that he had car trouble en route, won Fast fleet. Eve Fifield (Laser Radial) was 2nd and Sam Coffey (Laser) 3rd. Fraser Tod with crew Rick Parker (Club Laser 2000) won Novice fleet, Adrian Searing with crew Robbe Dinardo (Club Laser 2000) second and Pete Bennett (Laser Radial) third. Cristina Terrazas (Comet Xtra), who should have also been in the Firefly Championship, took the honours in Slow fleet, with Malcolm Brookes (Comet Xtra) 2nd and Dave Kerr in a Comet for the first time came 3rd. Flo Wright won Catamaran fleet unchallenged.

The bar stayed open for sailors to enjoy a sunset drink and eat fish & chips. Talking of bar opening, apologies to the Commodore for stating last week that she opened the bar early, she didn't. My mistake entirely, sorry.

By Sunday afternoon the wind and swell had dropped a little, and the wind had turned east. Races 2 and 3 started was towards Hastings around a 'P' shape course, very well laid out by the safety boat teams. When asked "Why the P course", Race Officer Jo Adams replied "because it's just fun, isn't it!" Yes it was! The tide turned during Race 2 so shore-hugging was the preferable strategy for the beat. The multiple angles of the P course kept the race interesting in the lighter winds.

In Race 2 Bob Palmer (Laser Radial) won Fast fleet, Sam Coffey moved up to 2nd and Dave Balwin (Laser) was 3rd. Fraser Tod with crew Rick Parker (Club Laser 2000) won Novice fleet again, Pete Bennett moved up to second and displaced Adrian Searing with crew Robbe Dinardo to third. Slow fleet was won by Cristina Terrazas again, with Rachel Wynn (Comet Xtra) 2nd and Dave Kerr back in his Lightning still taking 3rd. Flo won Catamaran unchallenged again.

In Race 3 Eve Fifield won Fast fleet, Bob Palmer moved down to second and Dave Balwin was third again. Novice fleet was a repeat of Race 2, with Fraser Tod/Rick Parker 2nd and Adrian Searing/Robbe Dinardo 3rd. Slow fleet was won by Rachel Wynn this time, with Cristina Terraza 2nd and Malcolm Brookes 3rd. Flo won Catamaran unchallenged again.

The bar stayed open again for sailors to enjoy a sunset drink and eat more fish & chips!

The Series winners (provisionally) are: Fast - Eve Fifield (Laser Radial); Novice - Fraser Tod and Rick Parker (Club Laser 2000); Slow - Cristina Terrazas (Comet Xtra); Catamaran - Flo Wright (Dart 16).

With no racing planned on Bank Holiday Monday due to the late high tide, sailors decided to go afloat anyway for a freesail. Ben Cole launched his catamaran on Sunday morning before the tide went out, and stayed out most of the day! Others joined Ben late afternoon once the water had covered the rocks again. There's no better cooling sea breeze for a sizzling day than actually being on the sea with the breeze! Later there was a delicious beach bbq and another sunset bar. What a way to finish a scorching Bank Holiday!

The month of May will finish with a Games Night on Friday 29th courtesy of the Social Committee, the start of the Learn To Sail course on 30th and Sunday Series Race 4 on 31st. For more information please visit www.bexhillsailing.club