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News / Sailfest overall

 

The Raymarine Long Distance Pursuit Race concludes the event

Despite a similar start to the day with a good breeze across the harbour, the forecast was for the wind to drop so the race team was keen to start the 150 minute pursuit race promptly at the scheduled time of 10.30. James Gollop and Bob 'Arky' Wainwright led the excellent race management aboard the committee boat, with a clear tannoy system to alert of the next start sequence ensuring that everyone got away cleanly.

The breeze was dropping even as the first boats started and at about 70 minutes through the race, soon after the last start of the International 14 at 61 minutes, the wind turned off completely. This left crews on the second 'beat' with sails at all sorts of different angles and even some with gennakers draped lifelessly over the front of their boats. When the sea breeze finally arrived it filled in from the South West of the harbour resulting in a 140 degree windshift.

Having led for most of the race it was Mike Radford in his Byte who kept his head to finish in front of the rapidly approaching International 14 (who pipped the RS300 of Steve Bolland) and win the race. The Byte fleet were ecstatic as Mike came ashore "Being a pond sailor the flat conditions suited me today and the wind going light as the faster boats started obviously helped too."

The Topper sailed by Scott Chudley was met by a round of applause from the shore having been the first boat onto the water and the last boat off it. Later at the prize giving young Scott was presented with the GJW DirectOutstanding Achievement Award for his determination during the previous 2 windy days and for leading the pursuit race for over an hour.

Raymarine Long Distance Pursuit Race Results:

1st Mike Radford - Byte
2nd Sam Pascoe & Alex Knight - International 14
3rd Steve Bolland - RS300
4th Tom Gillard & Tim Hartley - Fireball
5th Russell Ward - Finn
6th Andrew Wilde - Phantom
7th Ian Morgan - Laser
8th Sam Barker - Musto Skiff

Meanwhile, closer to shore, the warm bank holiday weather had brought a number of visitors down to WPNSA to experience sports activities via the taster sessions. Unphased by the lack of wind, the OTC windsurfing centre brought out their fleet of paddleboards for an alternative water-based experience. Local 8 year old Arthur Blackmore-Dark tried rock climbing on Saturday, paddlesports on Sunday and dragged his mum back again on Monday and persuaded her to join him for a kayak session.

 

 

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  • The UKFA Coordinate fireball opens and organise National and inland champs
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