Rob Jones (Hampshire) sailing his RS700 won this year's regatta

The day dawned bright and fairly breezy for this year's Dorset Police Regatta on Poole Harbour. The Entry score of 12 boats was a little disappointing after last year's numbers and discussions on anticipated entries during the previous evening spent pleasantly at the club with the organiser and the few early arrivals, proves it never pays to count your chickens before they're hatched..

Despite threats of an early start, Race One got away just before 11am, once the Race Officer, John Yonwin had meticulously set up for an Olympic course - triangles and sausages. The fleet of all twelve boats got away well, some opting for a beat to the right, others starting at the pin end and going left which didn't quite pay off. With such a varied fleet the boats soon spread out with Rob Jones shooting ahead in the RS700 whilst Clive Bishop, sailing with his grandson and friend brought up the rear in an Albacore which once belonged to Dave Ogden of Hampshire fame. In  the fresh wind things did not go smoothly for all helms. Ken Daniels in his new Phantom got caught out at the windward mark and succumbed to an early bath in salt water. Locals Andy Welsh helming the Osprey with Rob Gillespie found the conditions much their liking and were the only boat liable to give Jones any serious challenge, though Ian Ingram with Marie Bond as crew in the RS400 were also well up in the field. There were just two Laser competing, with last year's winner Dave King going particularly well. By the finish, Jones secured his first win beating the Osprey on corrected time by well over two minutes. Mike Scrivener in his Contender found conditions damp and fitful but had his best race result. The Albacore was forced to retire with a dislodged transom flap causing the boat to fill with almost as much sea water as there was in the Poole Harbour.

Race Two was sailed back-to-back with the windward and wing buoys moved slightly. This still gave a tight reach on Leg 2 followed by a very broad reach on Leg three where the ability of boats to carve their way through the waves took precedence over the power of the wind. The gybe mark was catching a few out culminating in three retirements. Ken Daniels was in the drink again and went ashore whilst Paul Smith & Chris Bundy found the conditions too much for the Xenon huge sail and retired for the second time. Paul Miller with Freya Carter managed to capsize with the spinnaker flying but stuck the mast in the mud; making uprighting nigh impossible. Once freed, it remained difficult with a balloon spinnaker filled with water. Getting upright thus took some time and the only answer was to aim for the shore and call it a day.  Jeff Hines & Andy Greenway with the Avon & Somerset Comet Trio were comfortable in the conditions and, for much of the race, were not so far behind the second Laser, Dick Sivers.  Final times among the leaders was closer this time. Jones' RS ahead to win by a slightly less margin from the Osprey than in Race 1, with Ingram a close third just 3 seconds behind on corrected time.

After a late lunch, Race Three. By now, the forecast of wind rising with gusts of over 22 knots was being realised. For reasons various, only seven boats took part. Ken Daniels determined not to be beaten by his poor morning performances got his mast re-stepped and went afloat. Clive Bishop and crew with Albacore transom sorted and determined to be racing, announced hoisting a set of Mirror sails for the race. The fleet spread out with Jones, aiming for a third race-win, making long tacks to windward; this to avoid tacking too often in the wind and keeping the RS going at high speed. Ian Ingram maintained a lead on the water over the Osprey for the first lap only then dropped back to allow Andy Welsh to secure his third second-place whilst Daniels kept close enough to the Contender to secure an excellent fourth.

For some competitors, each race had been over an hour long and although winds had been strong enough throughout the day, it had been good sailing with no serious damage to body or boat. My grateful appreciation for all those who took the trouble to take pictures of the event - many of which are splendiferous... After a late finish, prizes were presented by the Poole YC Commodore and his wife, John & Vera Lewis. Poole Yacht Club always make us extremely welcome and we look forward to returning in numbers, in 2010.

R.S.

Regatta Results