It’s lumpy and gusty for races at open
There were lots of thrills and spills at Chichester Yacht Club for the first open meeting of the season.
Fourteen intrepid Europe sailors launched after a short postponement ashore in about 20 knots of wind for the first of four races.
The event was shared with H2s, who opted for triangle course, but Europe sailors are made of sterner stuff and went for triangle and a sausage course for optimum entertainment off-wind. Race one saw capsizes at the gybes and a good battle through the fleet.
Despite Steve Cockerill and Lucy Boreham both having a moment at the wing mark, they held off the rest of the fleet for first and second, with John Rees third.
A few went around the wrong mark or forgot if they were on a triangle or a sausage lap. Race two was in similar wind and Lucy managed to keep the mast out of the water to take the win with Rees in second and Emma Pearson third. Race three started in the windiest conditions and with the tide on the turn so it was starting to get a bit lumpy and gusty. Steve redeemed himself with a comfortable win followed by Jeremy Hartley in second and Lucy third. Joe Penhaul Smith also had a solid race finishing fourth. The last race was a two-lap affair with a much depleted fleet! Steve again showed the way John had an excellent 2nd and Lucy picked up another 3rd. With three firsts Steve Cockerill took the win, Lucy Boreham in 2nd and John Rees a respectable 3rd. The race team’s efforts were much appreciated by the sailors and the patrol boats had plenty to do. It all ended with tea and prizegiving.