Bosham Results
Bosham Results
Joint Finn/RS300 Open, Bosham Sailing Club
Weekend 3rd-4th October 2009
Bosham Finn Open Meeting 3rd 4th October 2009
At 09.30 on Saturday Race Officer Andrew Francis gave his briefing in the shelter of the Bosham Sailing Clubhouse. The wind was picking up as forecasted and as the competitors made their way to the startline set just south of Chidham peninsula, they knew they were in for quite a blow.
Nevertheless three races were cracked off back-to-back with the Finns off first. The wing marks were laid in quite close to the Rookwood shore which meant that the boats were bearing away at high speed with not a lot of sea-room. Nine Finns started the first race and eight finished. Martin Hughes (Warsash) set an early example of his speed and skill by taking first in the first race.
The second race saw a number of helms take a swim on the down-wind legs and if they were in deep enough water were usually able to self-right. Those unlucky enough to capsize in shallower water saw their masts stick in the harbour mud, making self-righting almost impossible. The large patrol boat fleet was kept busy. Most racers saw green water over the bow at least once. Quite a few windexes were missing on the return to shore.
At the end of Saturday there were only two boats who had completed all three races and only one (Mike Brook, Bosham) had stayed upright during all three races. Human casualties were limited to a few cuts and aching muscles. So overnight Martin Hughes (Warsash) had posted two firsts, Mike Brook two seconds and a fourth, Richard Lewis (Bosham) three 3rds. The battle on Sunday would be between these three. Mike de Courcy (Mengeham) had to go looking for an improvised tiller which had snapped at the stock!
Early on Sunday morning nobody looked too perky, despite the promising 12 to 15 kt breeze, possibly as a result of dinner and too much beer in the Anchor Bleu. With the low pressure system over the North Sea having pressed on into the northern Baltic, things calmed down on the South Coast of England, the breeze settled into a WSW with occasional oscillations and the course had to be set across a strong flood tide in the shifting breeze. The Race Officer struggled to find a clear patch of water to set a course for a growing fleet. Many Mengham Finn Sailors had sailed over from Hayling Island and entered the competition on the water.
Although some excellent sailors from Mengeham Rythe had entered the fray on Sunday, in particular Julian C Smith and Neil Robinson; having missed the windy races on Saturday, they were unable to dislodge Martin Hughes (first) Mike Brook (second) only beating Richard Lewis (third) on the 'best of best rule' and Mike de Courcy (Mengeham) who was fourth. Only two points separated these three superb helms. But there had been massive battles all the way through the fleet. Everyone commented on how close the boat speeds were for these Olympic single handers which placed boat handling and tactics at a premium.
Bosham Sailing Club hopes that next year's Finn Open on 9th and 10th October will be even better with perhaps a tad less wind!
Results
- Martin Hughes Warsash 4 points
- Mike Brook Bosham 14 points
- Richard Lewis Bosham 14 points
- Mike de Courcy Mengeham 15 points
- Julian C Smith Mengeham 26 points
- Neil Robinson Mengeham 28 points
Full results at: ~
