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Twenty boats, a very close contest in a breezy week with wonderful parties and great sport on and off the water
The sailing
Curious how the first five boats overall were all placed in the first five in the Monday’s rather soggy and grey opener. Harrier was first to Itchenor in the tricky easterly but Migrant was quickly through and made no mistakes thereafter. Dart posted their intentions with a 2nd Chris Darling (RS 200, Laser SB3 and Swallow) on the stick.
The first of Tuesday’s back to back races was a spirited affair between inflatables near Rookwood and in the Thorney channel – 600m legs and 3 laps. Gwaihir shot away from the pin end gave a masterclass in boat handling and tactical nous. Frenetic action at the windward mark required care and courtesy as boats arrived and departed at every point of sailing. We pressed hash again for the next race but then an interesting ‘shall we, shan’t we’ cross tide reach to Ellanore. Buccaneer, first to hash, did hoist but didn’t really gain but sailed faultlessly on to victory with Dart, Skua and Migrant beginning to define the top echelon for the week.
Wednesday was another breezy ride with a windward/leeward to the ubiquitous hash, alternating with East Head. The two port tackers from the pin end (Dart & Marengo) were away and gone and the ensuing match race was great to watch from the upper circle.
Rounding Wear the first time was rather exciting with Swift on the inside of the rest of the fleet - half on starboard, some with valid overlaps and others just compelled to join the fun pushing mindlessly in. Marengo held the lead under intense pressure from Dart with Skua joining them on the podium.
Dare one say that that when Thursday’s gale materialised there was discernible relief amongst the weary fleet? Gusts of more than 40 knots were frequent and tennis was the only sporting option. It was decided that Friday would become another back to back race day. The first was a windward/leeward in the Gallon reach with the (in-harbour) novelty of twin leeward marks. Dart was flying again, Migrant opted out by choosing the less favoured leeward mark leaving Skua and Buccaneer chasing Dart to the finish. Finishing near Park allowed PRO Roger to get going again quickly – almost too quickly for some still scoffing the energy bars. This time a harbour tour to SW Pilsey and on to Mill Rythe then back on the tramlines to an Itchenor finish. Jack’s outstretched arms substituting for Dart’s broken spi pole could not halt the advance of first Buccaneer and then the charging Marengo who got them both.
1st Dart (69) Chris Darling/Alistair Shaw, Herman Spruit & Chris Newell – 10 points
2nd Skua (3) Harry and Prue Roome, Lavinia Massey – 14 points
3rd Buccaneer (66) Mike Bond, Mike Burnford & ? – 16 points
4th Marengo (82) Carolyn Brigg, Sue Glover & Christine Graves – 21 points
5th Migrant (86) Charles/Fisher/Richard Thompson, Carol Thompson & Jim Jerwood
The fun and the games
- Driving rain did not deter the fleet and their guests from enjoying splendid hospitality on Monday evening in Mike and Bettine Bond’s new barn with the fabulous views (on a clear day!) over Pagham Harbour
- The croquet results have been croqueted into obscurity
- Opinion was divided on the modernist ‘cold war’ version of Macbeth. Did you notice Banquo’s ghost had disappeared?
- The Marengo-run Olympics were as much fun as ever (obviously being dominated by women is occasionally attractive?). The Head teacher was in imperious form.
- There is nothing quite like the Old Rec dinner. A great atmosphere, delicious food and entertaining banter
- Even Snell’s infamously swervy tennis serve could not overcome Annie Creak’s guile.
- A great evening on Thursday chez Wigmore – a stunning setting. Sadly the weather halted the waterborne option.
- An excellent prizegiving dinner compered by the Head teacher complete with fun prizes and men-swapping.
Tell-tales
- It took until race 5 before Skua could do anything other than finish 3rd – and ‘improved’ to 2nd. A sequence that most of us would envy - but not quite enough to add another premier event to their Championship title.
- Gwaihir blitzed the oppo in Tuesday’s windward/leeward. The suggested strong breeze speed deficiency (?!) is clearly no more. It was the only day they could sail and was very sadly marred by a t-boning in between races.
- The girls bounced back after an uncharacteristically lacklustre start to produce two stunning victories. Marengo’s downwind speed in the final race was just amazing.
- Jack (aka Alistair Shaw) has only sailed a Swallow a few times before PW. How do we feel about being walloped by a relative novice?
- The hi-viz option: a window in both the main and the jib is a good see and be seen option, and increasingly favoured. Some are content with just a jib window and a few have none. In a week of much short-tacking this could be a problem – unless you are comfortably in front.
- Roger and Jackie, Desmond and Jane were brilliant on board Betivuka –our grateful thanks (again) and an open invitation for 2008 – hopefully back on the top of the tide.
- So a Gnav-equipped boat has now won a major event. Objections over-ruled?
- Annie took off her white shorts to help the Creakies win Olympic gold. She put them on again to win the tennis. Peter Snell was mesmerised.
- Richard Wright said that it would be his last PW, but then he always does.
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