Winter Series underway at Hastings & St Leonards

There was a chill in the air as sailors from Hastings & St Leonards SC launched for races 3 and 4 of their Winter Series.  

Despite the colder conditions, eighteen sailors in sixteen boats were rewarded for their determination and the extra effort to put on another layer of sailing gear.   Out on the water, conditions were perfect for racing.  A steady force three easterly wind settled competitors for the first race before increasing to a more testing and friskier force three to four with shifts and lulls in the second race.  

The Buzz dinghies of Philip & Tristan Blurton and Richard & Sue Morley were first out of the blocks along with the Lasers of Matthew Wiseman and Lucie Barrie.  Wiseman took the lead on the beat but by the end of the downwind leg the Blurtons had passed him and began to pull away from the fleet.  Barrie was close on Wiseman’s transom for much of the race, and managed to slip in front for two legs, threatening to upset the usual pecking order before Wiseman overtook again and established a safer margin.  

Although the Blurtons took line honours, followed by the Morleys, when handicaps were applied, it was a first for Matthew Wiseman (Laser), second for Lucie Barrie (Laser) and a third for Matthew Wiseman’s father, John Wiseman (Laser Radial), making it something of a family affair in the top spots.  As sailors prepared for the second race, boats began to twitch more nervously in the increasing and less consistent wind.  A few boats capsized and inexperienced sailors looked less comfortable; one sailor headed ashore and two more retired before the end of the race.   Amongst the racers, the Blurton’s Buzz was first to the windward mark, revelling in the clean air ahead of the pack and pulling swiftly ahead.  

Wind and course changes between the races also meant they could fly their spinnaker on two rather than one leg, enabling them to increase their lead further.  It looked like they might have been far enough ahead to take line honours and a win on handicap, but a sudden lull while Tristan Blurton (crew) was fully extended on the trapeze, saw them collapse into a capsize.  By the time they were up and sailing again, their advantage was lost.  

In the stronger wind, it was the Laser Radials that were fairing best.  With handicaps applied,  Melanie Clark (Laser Radial) was first, Alberto Chies (Laser Radial) second and Hugh Ashford (Laser) third.  Sailors headed ashore after competitive and exciting racing.  Mathew Wiseman leads the series overall.