Sussex Police Open Dinghy Regatta 2014

Sussex Police
This page is mainly devoted to the annual Sussex Police Open Regatta

This was the second time that Lancing have hosted our Regatta which as well as being open to our police fleet also welcomes sailors from the host Club. This year the race officer Gary Austin provided 3 different courses. In the morning a standard Olympic course and in the afternoon a figure of eight and offset trapezoid sailed back to back and based on average lap times.

The standard of entry was high with Rob Jones with his Blaze attending as the only police visitor giving good competition by local club helms, Dave Trout in his Radial and Chris Foster in a Laser two crewed by his son Ben. Tim Hartnell a Lancing junior member sailed his Topper to a high standard to achieve 4th overall.

The day was forecast to be strong winds and overcast, however as the day approached the forecasts moderated and it was clear sailing was possible. Race 1 started in the sunshine in a good force 3. Rob showing skills on all points of sailing was given a good race across the water by Dusty Miller and Andy Bullen in the RS400. Dave Trout and Paul Fewster in the Lasers also gave good competition and the conditions were suiting the Laser 2. As the race went on the wind increased and competitors were coming back ashore in a force 4 to 5.

Following a respite at lunch the majority of the fleet went back out with a force 5 from the south west and regular white horses. This is the challenge of sea sailing, the wind was consistent in direction and strength and the sun was shining. The course seemed to benefit the non spinnaker boats and Rob again showed the fleet the way home in. The top 4 were again consistent but a very credible performance from Lancing's Anna Hartnell and Becky Lloyd in the RS Feva again showing excellent sailing and representing the Lancing youth. The Sussex Laser 2000 with Rich Bates and Anne Darling put in a sterling performance in the conditions, Mike Scrivener in the Contender also put in a great performance until gear failure claimed him, the same for Phil Mears in the Sussex Laser.

For the final race, now in a good force 5, the pattern was set with Rob completing a hat-trick of firsts, Dave Trout second and the Foster combination in the Laser 2 really enjoying the conditions. Dusty and Andy went off for a final blast and jolly and with 3 sails pulling suffered a broke mast. It appeared the sail was worth it though!!

Prize giving was made and Rob headed back to Hampshire as he has a pursuit race in the evening back at his home club. Lancing opened the bar which accompanied a BBQ on the beach. It doesn't get much better.

Lancing did us proud. A small Club with a big heart and welcoming spirit. Special thanks to the Commodore Karen McGrath for allowing us to use the Club, to Race Officer Gary Austin, Safety Crew Isabelle Jackson and Colin Norris and results guru and canteen for the day Mike Croker.

We plan the same next year, we would love to welcome some more police visitors. Don't worry.......... the salt washes off!!

RESULTS Sailed: 3, Discards: 1, To count: 2, Rating system: PY, Entries: 15, Scoring system: Appendix A
	Helm	Crew	Club	Class	Sail No.	R1	R2	R3	Pts
1st	Rob Jones		Hampshire Police	Blaze	678	(1.0)	1.0	1.0	2.0
2nd	David Trout		Lancing SC	Laser Radial	202547	(3.0)	2.0	2.0	4.0
3rd	Chris Foster	Ben Foster	Lancing SC	Laser II	10594	2.0	(3.0)	3.0	5.0
4th	Tim Hartnell		Lancing SC	Topper	28135	5.0	4.0	(16.0 DNF)	9.0
5th	Paul Fewster		Lancing SC	Laser	182545	6.0	(16.0 DNF)	4.0	10.0
6th	Dusty Miller	Andy Bullen	Sussex Police	RS 400	1253	4.0	7.0	(8.0)	11.0
7th	Isabelle Jackson		Lancing SC	Topper	24182	(16.0 DNC)	6.0	5.0	11.0
8th	Anna Hartnell	Becky Lloyd	Lancing SC	RS Feva Xl	2127	(7.0)	5.0	7.0	12.0
9th	Alan Simmons		Lancing SC	Streaker	1700	(8.0)	8.0	6.0	14.0
10th	Richard Bates	Anne Darling	Sussex Police	2000	2129	12.0	9.0	(16.0 DNC)	21.0
11th	Mike Hartnell		Lancing SC	Topper	18045	9.0	(16.0 DNF)	16.0 DNC	25.0
12th	Phil Mears		Sussex Police	Laser Radial	114000	10.0	(16.0 DSQ)	16.0 DNC	26.0
13th	Mike Scrivener		Lancing SC	Contender	2447	11.0	(16.0 DNF)	16.0 DNC	27.0
14th	Bob Trevis	Andrew Trevis	Sussex Police	RS 400	854	13.0	(16.0 DNC)	16.0 DNC	29.0
15th	Katie Trevis		Sussex Police	Streaker	1386	14.0	(16.0 DNC)	16.0 DNC	30.0

Event Contact:
Bob Trevis, Steyning P/Stn.
Email: robert.trevis@sussex.pnn.police.uk

December, 2011.
Sussex Police Dinghy Sailing Section recently had there AGM and after much discussion it was decided that they will not be running their annual Bexhill Dinghy Open Regatta during 2012.