Dell Quay Sailing Club

The DQSC 2014 racing season kicked off with races 1 and 2 of the Early Trophy series on Sunday 23rd March.

The race report was published in the Chichester Observer on Thursday 3rd April. See press cutting below:

Editor's Note: Peter King's crew was Jason Mortimer, not Jamie Pescott as reported in the paper.

The report was compiled by Andrew Horne with contributions from David Swift and Rob Corfield. The photo was provided by Clive Norris.

See below for full transcript of the report:

DQSC Race Report for Early Trophy 1 & 2

On a dry but windy afternoon, Dell Quay Sailing Club kicked off its 2014 racing season with the first two races of the Early Trophy series. There was a good turnout of boats from the Solo fleet in the first Solo class race with only one retiree, despite the strong NW breeze which brought many challenges to all who ventured out on the water.

Malcolm Buchanan was first over the line and lead for the whole race. There was keen competition within the fleet and the shortening of the race to just one lap left David Swift in second place and John Purdy in third position.

With only 5 Solos remaining for the second race Buchanan maintained the lead throughout, with frequent changes of place amongst the other boats. Towards the end Fred Hilgers broke away to secure a solid 2nd place followed by Swift in 3rd.

The General handicap races attracted a smaller turnout of boats, consisting of RS 400, Buzz, Finn and 2000 classes, all in close contention at the first mark. The second leg from the hook mark to the inflatable was a good direction for the spinnaker boats but very gusty.

In the first race Peter King and Jason Mortimer (RS 400) together with Roger Francis and Ranjit Verghese (Buzz) were blown over by gusts on the second leg, allowing Rob Corfield and Chris Campbell (RS 400) to go through to take 1^st place, with Andy Gray (Finn) 2nd and Francis/Verghese finishing 3^rd.

Serious equipment problems during Race 1 meant that Francis and Verghese could not compete in Race 2. The remainder of the fleet continued racing, with Gray coming first this time, Corfield/Campbell 2^nd and King/Mortimer 3^rd.

All in all a good start to the DQSC racing season despite the blustery weather.

Photos Taken During Racing

Peter King and Jason Mortimer in their RS400

 The Solo Fleet heads down harbour

 Handicap Race 1 Winners Rob Corfield and Chris Campbell

Close Competition in the Handicap Races