Dell Quay Sailing Club

This year's Solo Open Meeting was held on the 27th September with a good turnout from the DQSC fleet but a lower than usual attendance from visiting clubs due to the unfavourable wind strengths. The success of this event owes much to Race Officer Graham Dalton and his team for their efficient management and organisation of the racing.

An article covering this event was published in the Chichester Observer on Thursday 2nd October and is reproduced below.

The report was written by Andrew Horne with photo provided by Ed Swift. 

More great photos by Ed Swift follow the press cutting, together with a fuller version of the report.

Solo Open Winner Steve Ede

Start of Solo Open Race No. 2

Solo Open Winner Steve Ede Leads the Field

Jostling for Position at the Mark

Race Leader Steve Ede is first to the Mark

Solo Open Runner-Up Richard Ede

 Extended Race Report

The forecast light winds dissuaded some of the regular visitors from taking part in the 2014 DQSC Open Meeting, in stark contrast to the high winds experienced in the 2013 event. However a good turnout of DQSC Solo class members ensured some competitive and enjoyable racing.

Race Officer Graham Dalton set a course incorporating one triangle and one sausage section per lap with a total of three races to be sailed. The almost total lack of wind at the start of the racing made it difficult for competitors to reach the start line before the five minute warning, with one boat requiring a tow down to the line!

With wind strengths barely above force 1 the first race was particularly challenging for the heavier helms who had to use every trick in the book to keep their boats moving. For the lighter helms this proved an advantage, especially for DQSC sailor Richard Ede who achieved second place in two of the 3 races sailed.

The success of Ede was exceeded by his son Steve, visiting from Ardleigh Sailing Club, who secured first place in each of the three races. Dell Quay member Bill Dawber, a regular winner in club races, had to work hard to keep up with Steve Ede, achieving second, fourth and third places consecutively.

For the later races the wind picked up but never exceeded force 2. Despite the lack of wind, racing was very close in the fleet with sometimes up to 6 boats attempting to round the marks without colliding.

The final overall results were 1^st - Steve Ede, 2^nd - Richard Ede, 3^rd - Bill Dawber, 4^th - Andy Osman, 5^th - Anthony Osman. Prizes were awarded for the first 5 places by Peter King (DQSC Rear Commodore Sailing). Steve Ede thanked Dell Quay members, on behalf of the visitors, for the enjoyable and well organised racing and the welcome given to the visitors.

This event forms part of both the Southern Area Travellers Trophy and the Sea Series and was the final major open racing event in the 2014 DQSC calendar. An invitation is extended to all visiting club members to join Dell Quay sailors for the open winter frostbite handicap series which commences on the 22^nd November.