Dorset
Police
Open DinghyRegatta
Wednesday, 30th June, 2010
Venue: Poole Y.C.
The forecast was for light winds in the morning, turning
to a fresh breeze in the afternoon; and so it was. 13 boats took to the
water hailing from 7 Forces. Not too bad a turnout and just about justifying
the continuance of this splendid event. The races were held over the
'Olympic' style course (triangle-sausage). The first two races were
'back-to-back'.
Race One got away at 10:40am with the faster rated boats
soon ahead. The wind was inclined to be fairly light in places and also vary
in direction; the tides also had some effect. With a long beat the reaching
legs were inclined to be on the broad side. However with the wind changing
direction, the sailing angles varied greatly. The faster rated boats raced
round in a clutch with Simon Hawkes (Avon & Somerset) was first over the
finish line but throughout the race Rob Jones (Hampshire) in the Blaze kept
company with Ian Ingram (West Midlands) in the Merlin Rocket giving Jones
the win on corrected time by just 10 seconds.
The position of both the buoys and the start line was
altered for Race Two. This caught out the Blaze and the Osprey who were
adjudged over the line at the pin end and were required to re-start. Boats
that decided on the left side of the course found themselves distinctly
ahead by the time they reached the windward buoy. Both Phantoms got the
benefit and Hawkes again headed the field with Jones, Ken Daniels (Met)
Phantom and the Merlin in tow. On corrected time Hawkes had his revenge over
Jones with Daniels third.
Race Three after lunch and by now there was a much
stronger breeze to greet the competitors. There was just one capsize; the
varying wind was liable to catch out a trapeze boat eventually. Hawkes lead
form the beginning, hotly pursued by Rob Gillespie (Dorset) in the Osprey,
Ingram & Daniels. Behind, Mike Scrivener (Sussex) Contender, Nick Mason
(Met) Laser, & Andy Williams (Hampshire) - this year in a Laser 2000 kept
company. Not too far behind came Jeff Stratford (Avon & Somerset) Comet
Trio. For the back-markers, position was maybe not as important as enjoying
the race in the bright and breezy, sparkling conditions of the afternoon. It
had been a splendid race to end the day with Hawkes the clear winner on
corrected time with Jones second and Daniels again third.
The Commodore of Poole Yacht Club, John Lewis with his
wife Vera attended the event and John Yonwin was the Race Officer. For both
the club and the competitors it had been good to recognise familiar faces
from previous years. This is an event that it would be sad to lose; one
looks forward hopefully to when the Nationals are here some time in the
future, for it is a splendid venue where we are always made to feel at home.
Organiser: Rob Gillespie, Dorset Police Sailing
Section,
Rob Gillespie, Department F,
Poole Police Station, Wimborne Road, Poole BH15 2BP
Tel
01202 229301
rob.gillespie@dorset.pnn.police.uk
