Dell Quay Sailing Club

Despite strong winds throughout the week the 1st race of the Evening Series and races 5 and 6 of the Early Trophy Series went ahead as planned.

For full results of the racing Click Here

A race report was published in the Chichester Observer on Thursday 15^th May 2014.

To read earlier reports Click Here

The report was provided by Rob Corfield and edited by Andrew Horne. See press cutting below.

An extended race report follows the press cutting, together with some photos.

 Extended Race Report

A week of strong gusty winds put off many sailors from competing in the DQSC Evening and Early Trophy race series. However, for those brave enough to venture out there was some exciting and challenging racing to be had in the DQSC fleet.

During race 1 of the Evening series, Peter King and Colin Pullinger (RS400) led from the start, with Rob Corfield and Tom Dobbs (RS400) close behind. The first beat was to an inflatable mark near Copperas West followed by a long reach to Fishbourne. Corfield and Dobbs made the mistake of flying their spinnaker in the strong gusts, almost catching King and Pullinger, but promptly capsizing on the spinnaker drop.

In addition to the very gusty winds the racing was further complicated by thick weed around the Hook mark and close to shore. Despite suffering 3 capsizes Nikki Buchanan (Laser Radial) made a fast recovery, gaining 2nd place on handicap by just 1 second. King and Pullinger took 1st place on handicap, pushing Corfield and Dobbs into 3rd.

Even stronger winds greeted participants in races 5 and 6 of the Early Trophy series. However, this time competitors found it easier to sail a course which avoided the very variable winds and strong gusts around the quay and down to Fishbourne.

In race 5 Malcolm Buchanan (Solo) and Corfield/Dobbs led a close contest up the first beat, with Buchanan more comfortable and sailing closer to the wind whilst Corfield and Dobbs were mainly sailing on the jib and trying to survive.

Buchanan was first to the Marina mark but after surviving a difficult gybe Corfield and Dobbs were able to hoist their spinnaker and run down to Quay mark ahead of Buchanan.

Buchanan took first place on handicap, with Corfield and Dobbs second and Fred Hilgers (Solo) third.

Ranjit Verghese (Solo) joined the fleet for race 6 but lost his rudder and had to be towed back to Dell Quay by the safety boat. Buchanan took first place again on Handicap with Hilgers second and Corfield/Dobbs third.

Photos from Early Trophy Race 5 (Taken by Andrew Horne)