Dorset Police Regatta
Wednesday, 6th July, 2005
Venue: Poole Y.C.

   There was no shortage of wind for this one-day police regatta in Poole Harbour. Northwest winds were sweeping the country on the morning of the 6th, and they did not let up until late in the day. 19 contestants sailing 13 boats, representing 6 different police forces, gathered at Poole Yacht Club to do battle at this regatta. The clubhouse sheltered the contestants at the 1030 briefing, so it was not until they set sail and cleared the shelter of the yacht haven that they felt the full force of the gusty wind (about force 5+). The normally smooth water of Poole Harbour was quite choppy and spray was frequently flying over the foredeck as the dinghies butted into the waves. The race officer, Rob Gillespie (Dorset Police), controlled the racing from a committee boat skippered by Dave Peters, and set Olympic type courses for all three races. One discarded result was allowed.

   The rescue boat was kept busy throughout the day with many a capsize, caused by the strong, gusty winds. The two-man crew did a magnificent job. When asked what their priority was when there were so many boats down at one time, they said, "Age!" Because of the shallow water of the harbour, many of the capsized boats managed to get their masts stuck in the mud and could be seen sporting a black patch on the top of their mainsail. The winds were particularly strong during race 2, when capsizing at the jibe mark became the norm. Only 4 boats managed to finish in that race. By the time race 3 was due to be held in the afternoon, most of the crews had had enough and were happy to sit that race out. However, two boats did want to go out, and the race officer accommodated them.

   The Laser sailors were in their element, and even when they did capsize, they were able to right themselves and get going again a lot faster than the bigger boats. In spite of a painful back, Northamptonshire pensioner, Dick Sivers, showed supreme skill in the conditions and won this regatta. He may not have been at the head of the Laser fleet at the finish of both races 1 and 2, but because he was using his Radial rig, he beat the other Lasers on handicap. He was able to forget the aches and pains and let the adrenaline take over. Well done Richard! There is life in the old dog yet. For him it was well worth the long trek down from Northampton.

   Race 1 started out in the harbour at 1135 hrs with 13 boats heading away from the line. The Hampshire RS400, sailed by the Mr and Mrs Jones combination, led the police fleet around the inflatable marks forming the triangular course. Behind them came the Sussex RS400, sailed by the Miller and Bullen team, closely pursued by the Lasers of Mason, Glass and Sivers. Dick Sivers had wisely chosen to use his smaller sail on this occasion. And it paid off, because although he was only the 5th boat to cross the finish line, he was first on handicap. The race officer flew the shortened course flag after three full circuits of the course, and it was the Jones’ RS400 that crossed the finish line first, but they were pushed back to 3rd on handicap. Nick Mason was the first of the Lasers to finish, closely followed by the Sussex RS400. Roger Glass crossed the line 4th. Only 8 boats finished this race.

   Race 2 should have been held back-to-back with race 1, but there was a delay of over 30 minutes before the race officer moved the committee boat away from the finish line and back to the start line. The problem had been with a tow rope caught round the prop shaft. The race eventually got under way at 1307 hrs and 9 boats headed for the windward mark. Having rounded that mark they then streaked up towards the jibe mark at a great rate of knots. The leading pack reached that mark but kept straight on. They were all trying to choose the right moment to try a jibe or, more sensibly, to wear round in the strong winds. Those that did jibe paid the price and capsized. One after the other they were flattened and the crew ended up in the water. It was mayhem! The Lasers were able to right themselves and sail off, but some of the heavier boats needed help from the rescue boat before they could get their masts out of the Poole mud. Only 4 boats survived the trauma and were able to finish this race, and they were all Lasers. Dick Sivers was the first over the finish line, followed by Roger Glass, Nick Mason and Mike Saunders.

   As mentioned earlier, race 3 (started at 1526 hrs), only had two boats taking part – the local GP14 sailed by Andy Welch and Mark Samuel, and the Met Laser sailed by Nick Mason. Both felt they needed to get a better result to improve their position overall in this regatta. Welch had retired in race 2. Mason’s excuse was that he could not let an old pensioner like Glass beat him. Although Nick was the first to cross the finish line, the GP14 won this race on handicap. These results boosted Nick into 2nd place overall and Welch/Samuel into 4th place.

   At the prize-giving Rob Gillespie asked the competitors if they preferred this one-day format for this regatta, or would they prefer to go back to the two-day event held in the past? Rob would like any police sailors who are interested in attending this event at its magnificent venue in the future to get in touch and let him know your preference.

L.G.

Contact:
Inspector Rob Gillespie
Complaints & Discipline Office,
Dorset Police Headquarters,
Winfrith
DORCHESTER
DT2 8DZ
or Tel: 01202-223629
Fax: 01202-223771