Dell Quay Sailing Club

(Published in the Chichester Observer on Thursday 15th January 2015)

With gale warnings all round the coast and gusts hitting 40 mph within Chichester Harbour, only the bravest of dinghy racers ventured afloat for the fourth pair of races in Dell Quay SC’s open frostbite series.

Even with the start delayed in the hope that the forecast drop in the wind speed might materialise, conditions remained challenging and half of the small fleet failed to complete the course in the first race. Initial victim was Ryan Buchanan, sailing his brother’s RS300 for only the third time. Capsizes at the first gybe mark meant he was soon heading back to the club, followed by the RS 400 of Chris Rowsell and Peter King, and the Solo of Mike Dicker.

But the remaining competitors revelled in the conditions, with Stu Denyer (Laser Radial) opening out a good lead. Malcolm Buchanan (Solo) gained valuable seconds risking – and surviving – the final gybe at Quay mark, gustiest part of the course, while the others took the safer option of tacking round. And although Buchanan finished second, the Solo’s handicap took him to a comfortable first place, with Stu Denyer second and Warwick Hoddy and John Denyer (2000) third.

Those were the final positions again in the second race of the day. But this time Buchanan got off to a flying start, and with Stu Denyer briefly knocked flat at the first mark the Solo sailor led the others home both on the water and on handicap.

With two wins already in the series, and second and third places in the other races, Malcolm Buchanan leads comfortably and even with two more days of racing to come is in a very strong position to take the trophy. Behind him, though, plenty of competitors are in with a chance of prizes. Races nine and 10 are scheduled for January 24.

Report and photos by Liz Sagues

Series Leader Malcolm Buchanan

Stu Denyer