Dell Quay Sailing Club

(Published in the Chichester Observer on Thursday 8th January 2015)

In the last 2 races of 2014 there was increased competition for regular sailors in the Frostbite series, from several younger members back home for the Christmas holidays.

In the first race a brisk Force 4 to 5 westerly wind produced a reaching start from the club start/finish line with the tide still flooding. This was race 5 in the 12 race series and Bob Marshall and Neil Bryant in the RS400 soon established a lead, but a capsize at one of the gybe marks put paid to their chances. The rising wind caused several other capsizes but despite this the turnout remained high with only one less starter for the second race.

Young sailors Stu Denyer and Ben Hoddy stayed close to the front in their RS200 but it was Rob Corfield and Chris Campbell in the RS400 making the most of some fast spinnaker reaches who took line honours. First place on handicap went to Malcolm Buchanan sailing his new Solo, with Warwick Hoddy and John Denyer second in a 2000 and Stu Denyer/Ben Hoddy hanging on to third place.

In race 6, with the tide pushing the overly keen starters over the line, a general recall was required.  All three RS400s had problems, with two capsizing and Peter King and Jamie Prescott dragging their jammed spinnaker in the water towards the lea shore.

All recovered with King/Prescott just managing to finish first on the water ahead of Ben Chrystal and Robert Cobden sailing the club's RS Vision. First place on handicap again went to Malcolm Buchanan with Chrystal/Cobden a close second. Phoebe Noble, now sailing a Laser Radial and having moved steadily up the Dell Quay fleet, took third place.

Contributors: Peter King, Bill Dawber

Photos: Bill Dawber

Editor: Andrew Horne

Close action in the Frostbite fleet

 The fleet approaching Chichester Marina

 The Solo Fleet in Action