Dorset Police
Open Dinghy Regatta
Thursday, 2nd
July, 2015
Hosted by Dorset Police Sailing Section at
Poole Yacht Club
There were 11 entries representing 4 Forces at this year's regatta. The
regatta was held on a Thursday rather than the usual Wednesday due to
tide restrictions and the Briefing was brought forward for the same
reason. The Race Officer, John Yonwin needn't have worried about
starting earlier as the wind was so indeterminate that it was pointless
taking to the water. As it was, lunch was taken early without having
raced and with an eventual hint that weather was coming in, racing
started after 2pm. Two short races were then held back-to-back on a
triangle/sausage course.
Race One. As conditions and wind direction continually altered, setting
an accurate beat became a challenge for the Race Officer. Nevertheless,
all 11 boats were on the start line eager to get going. The wind slowly
increased and there were enough wind-shifts to provide a contest in
making the windward mark. As expected, the faster rated boats headed the
fleet round the course and the angles remained true to provide reaches.
Rob Gillespie's Osprey got well ahead but behind, the Lasers were
threatening the Phantoms. Behind them came Malcolm Dykes in the A&S
Bahia. By now the rain and wind-gusts had seriously set in and the
downwind leg become somewhat hazardous for some, resulting in the odd
capsize. The Race Officer decided on a shortened course after one
complete lap. On corrected time, first was Tony Hyland (Met) with Simon
Hawkes (A&S) second and Nick Mason (Met), third.
Once those recovering from capsizes had finished, the positions of the
marks were quickly altered for Race Two.
Again, all 11 boats started. The fleet set off in grizzly conditions
seeking the windward mark which, by this time, could hardly be seen in
the murk driving down from the Purbeck Hills. There was a fair amount of
close racing and it was important to look out for other boats. The
Osprey found the going more difficult this time and found herself in the
company of Hawkes and Mason fighting together as were Daniels and Oldham
who were being annoyed by Hyland and Sivers in Lasers. Bryan Tucker,
this year sailing a GP14, was also faring better than in his first
race.. With conditions still deteriorating, the Race Officer shortened
course after the first triangle. On corrected time Nick Mason was first,
Tony Hyland second and Simon Hawkes third. By now the wind had now
completely changed from the easterly influence in the morning to the
gusty south-west. This made for spectacular planing back into the
Marina.
Despite the numbers being low, we are always made most welcomed by Poole
Yacht Club and we look forward to returning next year when they hosts
the PSUK National Dinghy Championships 2016. The dates are not known at
present but could be decided by the PSUK Sailing AGM this coming
September.
also on Mike Millard's flikr page
