We had another welcomed addition to the fleet this weekend. Nick Peters was out both days in the boat that he is sharing with Dick Batt. Nick well and truly put his marker down by winning both races. How will he keep up this performance?

Saturday’s race was held on a strong spring ebb tide, with a wind that tended to die at the crucial moments of trying to round marks. An added challenge was that the Itchenor keel boats were out in force with everyone rounding East Head at the same time. Nick Rawlings had the early lead but Nick P slipped passed him in the melee. As time went by and the wind looked like it might die, a number of the fleet opted to pull out of the last excursion down the harbour.

On Sunday the wind built up steadily to the 15-20 knots as forecasted. We had a well laid classic course on the top of the tide. The novelty was there was no indication of the number of laps or any finishing! Some thought 3 laps would do nicely while others went for 4. Did anyone try for 5? Anyway Nick P was back in action taking the lead at the end of the first reach not to be challenged. Tim Randall and Simon Childs were too busy testing their skills against each other on the second beat to remember to go through the gate.

The weather played all its cards for the last main event of the season.
Saturday was a bright and warm autumn day with a very shifty wind coming from the east. Despite a delay to let the wind settled it nearly dies away at the start before returning in fitful puffs. The fleet split with Tim Randall going far left to the Thorney shore and Ian Barnett and others going right to use the flood tide. The balance kept swinging and at time Andrew Voysey working the middle looked best. in the end a big shift and pressure from the left brought Tim in well ahead of the rest. He held his position for the full four laps of the race while the 22  strong fleet all jockeyed for position and occasionally looked like catching him. Nick Rawlings finished third behind Tim and Ian.

Sunday was a total contrast with the remains of a tropical storm working up from the south. Gusts of 35 knots were forecast for midday. At 1000 it was cold and raining hard but the wind remained below 20 knots. However only 3 Solos opted to sail. Only Woodsy in his RS100 also raced. It looked as though we were in for a match race between Nick and Jerome Bakker with Robin Gadd keeping them honest. It was impossible to keep track from the shore as they quickly disappeared into the murk as they beat up to East Head and on the Astra. Eventually they could be picked out, neck and neck as they rounded Dunes and came to SW Pilsey. Jerome was just leading as they beat back into the murk to return to East Head. Jerome gained on the beat but Nick closed back for a close finish as they returned downwind to the club line. N over A then went up. Certainly the drenched and cold RIB crews were greatly relieved. The RO said he couldn’t see anything! Our intrepid sailors said “yes of course they wanted another one!” However by then everyone was happily back in the bar watching Chimet rise to the promised 35 knots.
Full Results Pennant 5 Full Results Pennant Series Overall

On Saturday Nick Rawlings put on his RO hat and ran a very successful four race sprint series. tony c and Cliff W ably assisted. 20 Solos enjoyed the intense close racing. Tim Randall was in fine form to win 3 of the four races to win the event with Ian Barnett coming second and Jerome Bakker third.
Sprint Series 2 Results

The four races from this series were combined with the two races completed in te first Sprint series to produce the results for the new QEII Diamond Jubilee Trophy generously donated this year by Donald Dunford. The overall winner of the two series is Chris Powles with Barry Blaydes second and Robert Hack third.
QEII Diamond Jubilee Results

There was another good turnout on Sunday for the points race. The winning ways of Chris Powles, Jerome Bakker and Nick Rawlings continued.

MRSC held their open meeting on Saturday. 8 HISC Solos took part in this event with 23 entries overall. The wind was generally light and shifty and the race Officer worked hard to keep the course well aligned. A replacement windward mark was in constant use.
David Sayce won the first race and followed up with two seconds. He was closely pressed but this was enough to win the event. Second HISC boat was Barry Blaydes (6th) then David Mosely (7th).

Tim Randall won Sunday’s points race with a turnout of 12 Solos

After the excitement of the Regatta and Federation Week, things began to return to normal. However on Saturday the wind still blew and the fleet must have been worn out as only two intrepid sailors came out. Greg Swift taking a win from Nick Rawlings.

On Sunday the fleet was re-gathering its strength with at least 13 starters. The start was near East Head and the fleet was very keen on the line. Only Nick Rawlings returned which meant others may have been lucky. Although the current was sweeping the boats up to SW Pilsey, there were big shifts on the way. Ian Barnett round first followed by Greg Swift. The two reaches to Channel and back provided gusts and holes with some place changing and the fleet spreading out. By the time the fleet was back at East Head, the light weights of David Sayce and Greg Lamb were battling for second. Ian was never challenged and sailed on the gain the win.

Saturday was yet another windy day gusting up to 25 Knots. 3 stalwart sailors enjoyed an hour long race with 2 beats to East Head Spit and back and final reaches to Mill Rythe and back. Nick Rawlings took an early lead but was pressed on the beats by Greg Swift and Dave Moody. However Nick pulled away on the final run and two reaches.

Tim reports that on Sunday the wind had at last abated and was well below the regular 20 knot breezes endured for most of the season so far and 17 boats came to the line.  The original course was reset on the Committee boat by the Race Officer, Andrew Streeter, and after a short postponement the first leg was from a line near North Pilsey upwind to Freddie Brookes. The shifty wind was edging right and went hard right as the pack approached the windward mark. In the scramble to the mark Tim edged round first just ahead of Bill and the bunch coming in from the right. The ensuing leg was a long reach against a gentle ebb to East Head.  Tim stretched out ahead while big gains were made by Chris Powles and Nick.  At East Head it was Tim followed by Chris, Bill and Nick, but a smart rounding by Nick took him past Bill.  The close reach back to the Inflatable near the Committee boat was over the shallows and required a high course to keep afloat with a dip down to the Inflatable when making the deeper water in the Emsworth channel.  At the mark the order had stayed the same and as the wind had settled in the west turning the remaining legs into processional reaches the race officer had little option but to shorten the course at the Gate.

Only a modest breeze was forecasted for Saturday's race and that was what we looked like getting. However it picked up as we launched and was another day of stretching the muscles. Tim Polglase was out for the first time this season and certainly he felt the strain after sailing a faultless race to be just in the lead by the first mark and then to pull away from the scrap between Chris Powles, Greg Lamb and Nick Rawlings.

Sunday’s Mengeham Regatta race turned out to be dominated by a rather familiar tidal gate with the first mark sitting in the strong flood. Tim Randall and Barry Blaydes arrived at the mark together. Tim got round but Barry didn’t. He was still trying while daughter Sarah and others sailed past. Sarah tried hard to catch up with Tim, but he left her with no chances. These two finished first and second while Nick Rawlings made third and Robert Hack fourth.

What a great weekends sailing! The sun was out and the wind blew; perhaps a bit too hard on Saturday as it rose rather unexpectedly during the race to 20 knots with a number of the fleet pulling out. On the first beat to the west against the tide Barry Blaydes tacked off to go behind the Pilsey sands and lead at the first mark. As the wind built up on the downwind legs, Greg Swift closed him down then powered into the lead on the next beat. Chris Powles was now challenging for second, and finally passed Barry at the last mark amid a massive wash and gust.

On Sunday Nick Rawlings was back from the nationals and back to his race leading ways. This time the beat to the west had the tide under the fleet and Greg Lamb was hot on his heels on the downwind legs to East Head and started the next beat in the lead. While these two fought it out Chris Powles and Shaun Clatworthy (now in his own boat with his own mast) closed up. As these 4 went down the last run they were well clear of Mark Allerston who had already had two swims. Then at the last mark the four leaders all capsised in a synchronised movement worthy of the ladies in the pool. It was then a race to get up first and on to the finish. Nick won the gymnastics just ahead of Chris.

6 boats from HISC traveled to Mounts Bay for the Nationals this year to participate in the 78 strong fleet. All our Davids were there (McGregor, Sanders, Moseley and Moody), together with Nick Rawlings and Steve Chiverton. The sun shone but the wind did not blow much until the last day; indeed one day was binned due to lack of wind.
 Hayling rivalry prevailed throughout. On the last day Steve finished 16th and 27th , while Nick was 17th and 27th!
Top performer was David McGregor who finished 9th overall. After an indifferent first day, he steadilt improved during the week to finish with a 6th and 4th on the last day. That gave him 6 top ten results out of the 10 races. clearly the HISC training camp helped to boost performance.

Full Results

At last summer has arrived. A sunny day with a light SE breeze and a chance to ditch much of the clothing we have been lugging about. With 6 boats away at the Nationals we were a little depleted but still had a great turnout. The first leg to Dunes could almost be laid in one before a tour downwind to Channel. Four boats broke away to contend for the lead, Andrew Voysey, Chris Powles, Tim Randall and Robert Hack each tried to out manoeuvre each other. This pattern continued around the next lap which included a trip to Lowles. Down the fleet there was good racing to be had  as everyone puzzled out what the tide was doing and where was the wind the most reliable. However at the finish it was Robert who proved to be master of the conditions.

Sunday was the Mengham Rythe Rowans Charity Race. Anthony Penfold was the first Solo home

It was a shame that more boats did not come on what must have been the closest Dash ever. Peter Best and Roy O’Donnell led the fleet off on the first run to Ellanore. Dave Sanders, Bill Shepherd and Barry Blaydes followed one minute later and Greg Lamb was on his own after a further 2 minutes. Peter made Ellanore first, but rounded the wrong way and lost time re-rounding. Barry was just ahead of his bunch at the buoy and passed Roy on the short beat back to East Head. Next was the long run to the start of the Itchenor straight with decisions to be made as to how far out into the tide to go and how much to cut the corner. Peter went furthest in and Dave furthest out. Meanwhile the stronger wind coming down the harbour brought up those behind.

It was too close to call at the start of the straight but Dave may have had the lead. As we passed ISC, Greg had a lead on the left bank but all six boats were more or less line abreast. At the end of the straight there was a key decision to be made on how deep to go. Bill opted for the longer run to the right while Peter hardened up toward the trees on the left. It took some time for the best tactic to become clear. By the channel to the marina, it was clear that Bill had made the best choice and Greg went over to join him. However at no stage did they break clear. Now for the corner at the approach to Dell Quay. Dave and Roy tried to take the short cut to catch Greg and Bill while Barry dropped below them. Greg got that all important puff and pulled away from Bill on the final ‘dash’ for the line to finish 20 seconds ahead. Barry led the pack in 10 seconds behind Bill.

1st     Greg Lamb     12.33.06
2nd    Bill Shepherd  12.33.29
3rd    Barry Blaydes  12.33.41
4th    Dave Sanders   12.33.47
5th    Roy O’Donnell 12.33.58
6th    Peter Best         12.34.38

So where was the committee boat on Saturday? Hayling Bay East was set. Getting on for 15 Solos sailed out of the harbour. At the entrance the wind died for about 15 minutes, before it picked up again.We sailed on out to sea. It poured with rain and we sailed on. Eventually we reached Bay buoy where Itchenor keel boats were racing. For the Solos there was no committee boat, no RIBs and no buoys. After we had been afloat for about one and half hours RIBs turned up and told us to go back into the harbour! Once ashore it was a challenge to find out what was happening, but we were set a windward leeward from the club line at 1600. There were many cruisers sailing and motoring in and a large one hit the line on the gun, with lots of shouting all round. Anyway, Nick Rawlings won the race and Dave Moody was second.

However on Sunday we had two excellent triangle and sausage races and no rain. In the first, Tim Randall took at early lead and sailed clear of the fleet. Behind him Robin Gadd, Chris Atkinson and Barry Blaydes took it in turns to be second. On the third and last lap Nick Rawlings joined the party and took the second slot at the finish, with Barry third.

Tim or Nick could win the Pennant at the start of the last race. Tim took the lead on the first lap but lost it to Barry and David McGregor on the second beat. At the leeward mark David was in the lead with Barry, Tim and Nick arriving together. Who would win the Pennant? Nick had another strong windward leg, crossing David at one point, but rounding just behind him. On the last downwind leg, David sailed away from Nick, while Barry past Tim again when his rudder fell off!

19 Solos had taken part in the event with Nick winning with a first and second. Tim was second with first and fifth, with Barry third with two thirds. David had a first and sixth and Robin two fourths. At the end of the fleet there were four boats on equal points so nobody came last!

It looked like we were in for another awful weekend for our personal handicap event. Saturday was another rainy windy day when 7 solos were tempted out. We had a great course with a couple of perfect reaches using the waves that were rolling into the harbour on the top of the tide. The broad leg from Dunes, past Mid-Winner was real white knuckle stuff. Nick Rawlings was first on the water and Greg Swift first on handicap.

On Sunday the sun came out, and so did the fleet; 20+ Solos on the water again. The wind was from the north and the tide flooding hard. On each of the two races finding the best route downwind from the inflatable near Mill Rythe to one near Freddie brooks was a major challenge with boats following many different tracks. The course also had great reaches to Runway and back to Sandy. The shifty and patchy wind gave many chances for gains and losses.

In the first race, Steve Chiverton, Phil Robbins and Chris Powles were the top three, but after the handicap was calculated Roy O’Donnell, Greg Swift and Bill Ingram were top dogs with 8 seconds between them. In race 2 Phil Robbins took an early lead and was well clear of the major scrap going on behind. He finished nearly two minutes ahead of David Moseley. However 15 boats all finished in the next two minutes keeping Race Officer John Rees on his toes with his watch. When the numbers were crunched Roy had another win on his sheet followed by Chris Atkinson before Phil came third.

So well done Roy for a deserved win of the trophy. However you can expect a tougher handicap for the next handicap event, the Dell Quay Dash!

Full Results

Saturday was a glorious sunny day, but the wind still blew at around 20 knots. Chris Powles lead the 6 Solos from the line to Dunes, but Nick Rawlings powered through on the tight leg to SW Pilsey. The race was all about who would be second. At the end of the down wind legs to Astra, David Sayce had the slot, but by the time the fleet was back to Dunes, Greg Swift was the one behind Nick. But Greg capsized on the next downwind, letting Chris have the slot.

Conditions were almost identical on Sunday; this time there were 7 solos out. With all the boats of the RS event racing in the harbour, club racing was pushed down the harbour; much to the frustration of the balcony brigade. Nick Rawlings lead at the first mark near Dunes and stormed off towards East Head and Park closely followed by Phil Robbins and Chris Powles. Phil’s challenge was dampened at Park where he swam on the gybe. As the fleet got back to Ellanore, the observers became confused, When Chris ignored two terrific reaches to Star and back and plugged on upwind on his own. Meanwhile Nick was still leading on the correct course but he too capsized  but still retained his lead. Star proved to be a favourite resting place as Andrew Voysey spent some time there. Meanwhile David Moseley judged it was time to retire when his rudder fell off. This left David Moody and Robin Gadd to come to the finish in relaxed but exhausted style in third and fourth, having sailed the course without major incidents.

Another very windy weekend. On each day we had only four boats out with three finishers. On Saturday Nick Rawlings lead the way round from Greg Swift while Nick Webb was a worthy finisher.

On Sunday Nick R retired and Chris Powles was the winner. Greg lamb finished second and Robin Gadd third.

No racing on Saturday - 35 to 40 knots!

By Sunday morning racing had been rearranged into a one day event with one discard from three races.  We had a welcoming team for the visitors of George and Anthony, Fiona was assisting with the trolleys and Jane was in the box communicating with race officer Mike Dawe out in the bay.  The wind was between 15 and 20 knots and there was a modest swell running after yesterday’s gale.  10 visitors turned up, made ready and joined the 15 from the HISC fleet that headed out of the Harbour.

In race one Tim Law laid down his challenge ahead of HISC boats Ian Bartlett and David McGregor.  David pickup challenge in race two working into the lead ahead of our old friend Kevan Gibb, who had travelled a long way from Edinburgh, while Tim was third.  Nick Rawlings and Steve Chiverton were making their mark but were no longer in contention for the title.

Some of the fleet decided the two races was enough and went off on the challenging return over the bar.  The safety first route past the beacons and via the wrecks was much favoured and it was very comforting to see Frank out there in case of disaster.

Meanwhile the third race is underway.  David was leading round all the marks and looked like winning the trophy.  However Tim was steadily gaining on him on each downwind leg and, literally, on the last wave before finishing line he passed David to win the race and the Tyler Trophy.

Full Results

After days of gales the wind was down to 25 knots on Saturday, but most of the fleet were cautious and stayed ashore. Steve Chiverton and Mike Partridge gave a fine demonstration of heavy wind close racing until Mike flipped in on a tack. Steve Masters was also out demonstrating that 1492 was up to the job.

Apart from the grey weather and forecast of rain, Sunday was much more promising and 17 Solos were out on the neat course Roger Palmer fitted in at low water. Racing was incredibly tight and the overall result was not known on coming ashore. Phil Robbins accelerated off the line to lead all round the first race, with Mark Allerston’s first race of the year showing he could get up to second ahead of Chris Powles and Steve Chiverton. In the second race Phil again just lead at the first mark despite a poor start, but lost out to Steve Chris and Mark on the reaches. The fight between these four continued round the next two laps right up to the finish. On the line Steve just held his lead from Phil ahead of Chris and Mark. Steve won the Pennant on 2 points with Phil second with 3 points

Saturday was another day of a 20 knot southeasterly with a reduced turnout. Ted Gadd tried to get to the start but was assaulted by an Int 14 on the way. Steve Chiverton lead from the start on a long beat against the tide to East Head via the narrows north of the Stocker Bank. On to Astra and then back down the harbour before a fantastic reach to Channel and back. Chris Powles had a swim at Astra and Mike Partridge dipped in at Channel. This left Greg Swift to finish second and Barry Blaydes third.

On Sunday we held a Sprint series and the first part of our new QEII Diamond Jubilee Trophy. The wind rose steadily during the event and we had some difficulties with our marks in the busy harbour. Steve Chiverton was away to lead on the first short race followed by David Sayce and Chris Powles. The course was extended for the second race which was a tough race. David  rounded the first mark in the lead followed by Chris and Andrew Voysey. Steve was well back on the triangle but pulled up on the second loop. David subsequently retired. This left Steve and Chris tying on point with Chris having the benefit of the tie break. Barry Blaydes came third.  Full Results

What a fantastic weekend. It was hot with continuous glorious sunshine. The wind was from the south east both days. On Saturday it blew hard and averaged some 20 knots during the race. On Sunday it was much lighter and patchy, dying away completely after the race.

11 boats were out on Saturday, with many more on the balcony! The course went to Astra twice and each time the reaches back via Dunes to N Winner were full on blasts. Nick Rawlings lead the way round while we lost 4 starters due to breakages, mishaps and conflicts!

On Sunday the fleet was up to strength with a great turn out. After some delays we were off to Treloar with Nick again the early leader. Chris Powles soon passed him on the down wind legs at the end of which the fleet had to go into single file to get through the gap between East Head Spit and a moored cruiser. It was then back to another centreboard crunching beat to Calvert, during which Greg Lamb continued his progress up the fleet to finish second. As the wind died to nothing, the fleet was ashore and on the balcony to watch the ‘fast’ boats being towed back from the Bay.

Saturday was the last of the Spring Series and at last we had a day worthy of the time of year. We had a fantastic turnout  of 23 Solos. This lead to an amazing 39 participants in the series, a point Nick Peters made much of at the series prize giving that was held after the race. The last race itself was won by David Sayce, who as usual proved to be a flyer in the light and patchy winds and strong, windward going tide.

Sunday was Glynn Charles day with a forecast of cold blustery weather and that is what we got on the day. It was never going to be a Solo occasion but we had 8 Solos among the 104 entries. A short first beat went from Trealor to Park! Steve Chiverton lead the Solos round followed by Nick Rawlings and Greg Swift. After a bit of a grind for two hours visiting all parts of the harbour, Steve finished 37th. No, not a Solo day but satisfying to take part and get round in this great event.

Saturday’s race was unusual in that we raced in the harbour entrance, being swept to windward on the strong flood tide and all the down wind legs were slow runs with attemps to avoid the worse of the current. Tim Randall lead from the pin end of the tricky start followed by Nick Rawlings. These two sailed clear of the rest who were left joslingly for position on each downwind mark. Towards the end of the third lap the two leaders became becalmed and the fleet began to run up to them with the remains of the northerly breeze. As everyone closed up a southerly crept in. Peter Hickson, who had gone furthest over to the east made the mark first, now with a clear lead to the finish over Tim , then Nick who managed to just stay ahead of the pack.

The two races on Sunday were held in glorious conditions near the wrecks in Wittering Bay. Thanks Martin Stainsby and team. The wind picked up to 15 to 20 knots and the waves created some tremendous reaches, especially in the second race. In the first race, Nick Rawlings, Phil Robin,  and Tim Randall showed their form by the windward mark and down the first reach, but it was not long before Steve Chiverton had powered through them to take the lead and held it to the end of the 3 laps.

With the Trophy result wide open and a reduced fleet as a number went home cold, everything depended on the last race. Phil lead for the first round, chased by Nick and Tim, while Steve’s problems started with a dodgey time at the gybe mark. On the next beat, Nick held to the port lay line, giving him the edge over Phil by the mark. At the leemark Steve had caught Tim, but then did another fancy move to end up the wrong side of the mark. Finally back at the windward mark his kicker ripped out of the mast heel plate. So Nick with another win  took the trophy with 3 pts while Steve, Phil and Tim each had 5. Anyway who said chivalry was dead? Gerald had made it all the way to the last tack to the finish when his tiller extension flew off into the water. While he was floundering Robin at last got past him, but, back on shore, he handed Gerald back his extension!

Saturday was another cold and wet day with an air temp of 7C and a 15 knot northeasterly. The flood was in full spate as the 8 Solos trieds to cross the line near Dunes. Nick Rawlings managed to get away and headed straight for the Thorney shore. As the fleet beat towards Astra, Ian Barnett forgot he was using a lot of kicker until he tried to tack! The tide rushing out of the Thorney channel made the approach to Astra painful. Nick got there first followed by Chris Powles. Once round, the gap between boats became huge. On the next lap Chris hounded Nick on the approach to Astra and nipped past him along the shore and held the lead to the finish.

Sunday was an even worse day with a steady drizzle throughout the morning. The Solo fleet were the most active fleet in the bar while 3 intrepid helms sailed for an hour back to Astra, Dunes and Mill Rythe. They we close together at Astra but the run to Dunes sorted them out. According to Robin his boat “ just fell slowly over” While Greg Swift had some of those down wind moments when remaining square to the wind causes too much adrenaline rush. Nick Rawlings just sailed serenely on, although he never managed to warm up.

On Monday for the Rowans Pursuit race, the rain eased as the four Solos started. They were soon followed by the chasing classes with spinnakers aloft. Nick was the first Solo to finish, but our quartet were by now at the back of the fleet.

What a terrible weekend - wind and rain in excess.

Saturday was a day to get changed first and rig later..cold, raining and 15 knots with a rising forecast.
Seven of us were at the start, Tim Polgase was the club race officer and he set a tight little course using an inflatable near Runway to avoid the Merlins holding their open in the harbour.
The start was near SW Pilsey with a weather going tide that carried Greg Lamb over early Ted Gadd found the conditions not to his liking and retired. With a short beat, it was very close at the first mark with Nick Rawlins rounding just in front of Chris.Powles. Then there was a run to SWP followed by a fetch to Mill Rythe and a broad reach back to Sandy.
Nick and Chris were away by then and finished in that order. Greg completed an eventful half hour with a capsize gybing on the run and had to retire , Nick Webb got his best result of the year coming in fifth.
The breeze up in the 20's at the end and .. yep, it was still raining"
 

On Sunday nobody went out at all.

16 Solos prepared and launched for Saturday's race in a 10 knot breeze. By the time we started in a vicious wind of tide  chop, it was gusting over 25 knots and the rain was a real face stinger. But before the first mark was reached the wind dropped away entirely. Chris Powles had a swim before the start, and Steve Chiverton broke his boom on the start, Ted Gadd was firing ball bearings from his traveler around his boat, and three others made for the shore. Nick Rawlings was away clear by the first mark followed by Phil Robin and Richard Morris. The first two kept there positions round the two laps to the finish. The next six rounded the last mark all together, followed by a frantic scramble on the beat to the finish as the wind rose back uo to 20 knots. Andrew Voysey grabbed third and Chris Powles fourth.

Sunday provided a westerly 10 knot breeze with a strong flood. The beat from around John Davis to near SW Pilsey was a long flog against the tide with the wind backing to help those that had kept to the left. Judging the route into the mark was difficult and crucial with the Itchenor keelboats providing much foul air. Nick Rawlings rounded first as was gone followed by Greg Lamb, Greg Swift and Anthony Penfold. Not much happened on the downwind legs to Ellanore and the long beat, through the gate, started again. This time keeping to the right seemed to be the thing as David Moseley passed 3 boats to reach fifth and the two Greg’s changed places. After another trip back down to Ellanore and a final beat to the shortened finish. The wind picked up for this leg, but everyone held station. Most were pretty tired when they finally reached the beach.

Another North Easterly, at times a good breeze but falling away to nothing at others. The first beat to Thorney from Dunes saw plenty of action. Ian Barnett was away fast at the pin end, but Andrew Voysey started nearer to the CB and found pressure and shifts to quickly establish a clear lead. At the mark Sarah Mitchell rounded second while Ian Barnett was cutting a groove through the Stocker Bank and David McGregor was seen gybing on the beat in search of some water. The run back to Dunes was light and fluky; Tim Randall got through to second but Ian was starting his come back. He was up to second by the end of the next beat and passed Andrew on the legs back to Dunes.
17 Solos enjoyed the race including Peter Sheldrick in his first solo race.

Sunday was the coldest sail we have had this year, a very blustery northeasterly with gusts up to 25 knots. 10 boats signed on, 8 started and 7 finished. Phil Robin was out for the first time in his new boat and rounded Channel in the lead followed by Nick Rawlings and Greg Lamb. However Phil had yet to find all the tricks the Solo has and he took a bath on the run to Sandy. Chris Powles soon worked his way into second place as the long asymmetric beats against the tide had their effect. Greg held onto third until the final beat to the finish, when Greg Swift passed him to claim this spot. After at least two swims Robin Gadd soldiered on to finish, but took a long time under the shower to thaw out.

David Sayce won the Vice Commodores Handicap on Friday in very little wind.

A good fleet set out for the first of the Pennant races on Saturday. After an hour of seeking wind it dropped away and the ebb built up. Most of those that were still waiting for the start disappeared backwards toward the harbour entrance.

There was a bit more wind on Sunday, but it was very fickle and there was a strong flood tide. Ian Barnett gave an impeccable demonstration of how to pick out the way to start in both races and was clear of the fleet from the gun to claim two firsts and win the Pennant series.. Only David McGregor, out in his new boat, got anywhere near him at the end of the first race. But David, along with most of the fleet, did not get the start right for race 2 but just did enough to come third overall. Greg Lamb had a steady day to finish second overall with a third and fourth while Nick Rawlings’ second in race 2 was his only shine of the day. Light weight dominator of previous Sundays, Brian Campbell-B, did not have a good day! 18 Solos took part in the event.

The wind finally blew on Monday for the Pursuit race. Nick Rawlings was the only Solo to venture out, but did not make it round the course.

Saturday was a much colder day compared with the past glorious week. However, we had 16 Solos out in the 12 knot northeasterly including Bob Smith who completed his first race of the year. A short first beat from Dunes to John Davis ended with Chris Powles leading Nick Rawlings. Next round were Greg Lamb and Barry Blaydes. The leading pair pulled away from the pack and maintained there relative position for the two laps of the shortened race. Greg Lamb came under attack from David Moseley but David was back to six by the finished, while Tim Randall and Steve Chiverton progressed up the fleet. At one time it looked like Brian Campbell-B was going to shine again as he speed up the fleet on the off wing legs. However, sliding out of his boat to leeward on the run did not help his chances.

The forecast for Sunday was that the wind would drop - and it did. At the start near Dunes the light northeasterly gave a tricky beat to John Davis. The wind was in streaks down the leg and those that did not sail to far to the North came out best despite experiencing more adverse ebb. For much of the beat it looked as though George Gyngell would be well clear at the mark, but on the final approach, Brian Campbell-B had his own wind from the south and the two rounded together. It then took the best part of an hour to run back to Sandy and a very shortened course. Boats were becalmed for long periods and without steerage way then undertook occasional pirouettes. Brian worked his way well clear to finish first ahead of Barry Blaydes and George in third.

The weather on Saturday was an amazing warm and sunny day with a 10 knot Southerly breeze. Race officer Chris Powles sent the 23 Solos away with the tide. Nick Rawlings started at the pin end and was shortly able to tack and cover the fleet into the tide. Barry Blaydes followed him round the windward mark rounding together with George Gyngell and Steve Chiverton. These three scrapped while Nick sailed away with George in second place by the end of the two reaches. Steve passed Barry on the second beat and then George on about the third lap.
Last week’s dominant sailor, Greg Lamb, was back in the pack and over concentrated on his boat speed, so missing the gate ad retired. It was great to see Bob Smith out having a go. We also had two ladies sailing. Sarah Mitchell also missed out the gate, while Ann Brand finished 8th.

“I was robbed” cried Nick Rawlings, Barry Blaydes, Ian Barnett and Dave Sanders. These four had been well clear of the fleet in a 5 knot drifter in a strong tide. The start near Dunes saw most of the fleet facing the wrong way as they tried to hold back as the current pushed them over and Ted was trying to get back into his boat!. The beat to the first mark was a bit of a mystery for most as the first mark had been placed much closer than expected due to the lack of wind. Next was an endless run back against the tide to a mark near where we started and then another run against the tide towards Fishery. At this point it was Brian Campbell Bottoms who had his head out of the boat and spotted the glitter of a sea breeze at the harbour entrance so he went left while the leaders were now far to the right. In came the breeze lifting Brian and the rest of the 16 strong fleet past the stranded leaders to win the shortened race

The first race of the season got off in fine style on Saturday with 13 solos taking part. Th first leg was a beat from the club line to the buoy at the Harbour Entrance near the Hayling shore. With the weak flood against us the fleet split to either shore. Peter Best just made in first to the mark having tracked up the Winner side just ahead of Greg Lamb who has worked the Hayling shore. Cliff Wiles followed third (Winner) then Nick Rawlings (Hayling). After the leeward legs down to John Davis, Greg was enjoying his first Solo race and was in the lead. The leaders closed up on the beat up to Sandy with Nick now second and Greg  losing some of his lead on his approach to Sandy. It looked like Nick might catch him on the next set of downwind legs but an attempt to leeward on the way to Fishery did not pay off. Greg had plenty of margin to lead around the rest of the race to take his first win. Andrew Voysey was up to third and  Peter finished fourth..

Sunday was a very tricky race. The start was tricky positioning at the pin with the tide pushing the 14 strong fleet over. Nick Rawlings was first at the windward mark followed by Barry Blaydes. Then there was a tricky leg from Sandy to Runway. While the leaders went high and across to the Pilsey side a couple of Gadds and Greg Lamb kept low to the winner side and came out well in front. Then there was a tricky beat back through the gate to the windward mark with lots of wind shifts which stirred things up. Greg was now in the lead followed by Nick. Although it looked as though Nick was through on the next tricky Sandy to Runway leg, Greg’s leeward move worked again and he had a good lead to hold to the finish. Robin Gadd came third after Dad was OCS.