Dorset Police
Open Dinghy Regatta
Wednesday, 2nd
July, 2014
Hosted by Dorset Police Sailing Section at
Poole Yacht Club, New Harbour Road, Hamworthy, Poole, BH15 4AQ
It was a glorious day in perfect surroundings. Although the wind was light in the morning, the breeze perked up for the afternoon to give an exhilarating finish to the day. Poole Yacht Club as usual, provided excellent support for the running of the regatta. John Yonwin was our perennial Race Officer. There was a good mix of boats with a Finn and a 'Devoti D-One' also a Dayboat taking part in a police regatta for the first time. Six Police Forces were represented. Some notable competitors were missing but 14 entries was slightly better than recent years.
Race One got away on the 'triangle-sausage' course with the faster boats lead by Simon Hawkes in the D-One. Ken Daniels looked totally at home getting to grips with his new acquisition with the Finn carving easily through the wave pattern in the harbour. The wind direction and strength remained shifty throughout the race and boat speed appeared to be more important than tacking on apparent wind-shifts. Nevertheless gains could be made and lost and this was reflected by the changing positions of the Lasers throughout the race. Hawkes was the eventual winner with Tony Hyland (Laser) second, just beating Daniels by 2 seconds on corrected time.
Race Two got away with Rob Gillespie, a stranger to the Laser, chancing a port end start which nearly succeeded. The wind increased only slightly. The 4 Lasers split into two groups with Hyland managing to close the gap on Hawkes to finish some 30 seconds behind on corrected time. Bryan Tucker (Dorset) competing in a police regatta for the first time in many, many years came a redoubtable third in a local Dayboat borrowed for the day.
By Race Three after lunch, the wind had picked up to provide good planing conditions. The fleet soon became spread out and as the leading D-One rounded the leeward mark for the first time, boats were still rounding the wing mark. With the increase in wind the black jennaker of Dusty Miller's RS400 was prominent in pursuing the D-One. Behind came the furthest travellers from Leicestershire, Pete Muggleton (Fireball) and Tony Onions (RS400). Mike Scrivener (Sussex) also found the conditions better for his coveted, self-built Contender. Conditions had provided a perfect end to the day's sailing with Hawkes making it 3 firsts, Miller with his best result of the day, 2nd and Tony Hyland 3rd.
Prizes were presented by Chief Supt Jane Newall (Dorset Police). Congratulations to Simon Hawkes on another splendid win. Unlike the helm, the D-One is a new kid on the block for police sailing. Like Simon's recent K1, it's a single-hander with a jennaker.
