Dell Quay Sailing Club

(Published in the Chichester Observer on Thursday 30th March 2017)

Dell Quay Sailing Club kicked off its 2017 racing season with the first 2 races of the Early Helm series. Conditions were more challenging than forecast with the westerly wind blowing force 4 to 5.

The first beat up to Copperas West took advantage of the shelter from trees on the western bank but the rest of the course sent the fleet towards the eastern shore where conditions were more testing. The race officer decided to include Marina as a gybe mark which forced many racers to tack round first rather than attempt a potentially fatal gybe. Even so there were several capsizes at this mark, with one boat ending up on the lee shore, unable to relaunch and hence forced to retire.

Mike Fitzgerald and Tim Dormer took first place in both races in their 2000. Second place in race 1 was taken by Dave Maltby (Solo) with Sue Manning (Laser 4.7) third. Maltby and Manning reversed their positions in race 2.

For the Early Trophy races on the following day the westerly wind was even stronger, which discouraged many sailors from taking part and was not considered safe for the junior races, which were cancelled. Only four boats entered the handicap class races with two boats subsequently retiring.

James Pound (Laser) won the first race, with Roger Francis and Lizzie Kies (Graduate) coming second and Laurence Kies (Laser Pico) third. Pound retired during race two, leaving Francis/Kies to take first place and Laurence Kies second.

Only 3 boats entered the Solo Class races, with Dave Swift deciding to retire during race 1, leaving only Simon Verrall and Fred Hilgers to battle it out for first place in each race. Hilgers put up a brave fight but was unable to catch Verral who took line honours in both races.

Andrew Horne