Optimists enjoy the outlook at yacht club
As sailors arrived at Chichester Yacht Club for the Optimist open, there was a downpour of hail and sleet.
Competitors rigged and distributed themselves between the club’s two beaches.
Race officer Richard Anderton had shared the briefing over Youtube and the course over Whatsapp. As the start time approached the rain passed.
The 29 competitors made their way to the start line on the opposite bank of CYC’S lake, and there was just enough wind for a rectangular course to be laid.
In race one, they got away cleanly and started beating toward the windward mark. Leo Gosling from Royal Lymington had established a lead at the first mark and began to extend it as he led the fleet to the second mark. He was followed by Jonny Rogers from Newhaven & Seaford, then Freya Hutchinson finishing third.
Race one was shortened after two laps.
In race two, Gosling led the fleet home, followed by Ewan Hamilton from Newhaven & Seaford, and Hutchinson, another sailor from the Royal Lymington team.
Race three confirmed Gosling as overall winner with three wins out of three. Second was Toby Vincent from Newhaven & Seaford, followed by Rogers.
When the results were calculated the overall winners were all from Royal Lymington: first Gosling, second Rogers, third Hutchinson.
Vincent finished fourth and Ben Mcewen of Royal Lymington fifth. Thomas Knight and Nicholas Anderson from Chichester Yacht club both had encouraging results, ending tenth and 16th.
The next open at CYC is for Toppers on May 30.