Combined Comet Championships at Hampton Pier Yacht Club

Hampton Pier Y.C. hosted the Comet Association Championship incorporating Comet Minos, the Comet Duo National Championship and the Comet Versa National Championship.

Day 1, Race 1:

With a light N.W. wind an unusual course was set in the shape of a cross with its opposite ends connected.Even the fastest dinghies took 40 minutes to reach the windward mark, by which time the tide had changed from assisting to heading and many craft moved backwards before a slight increase in wind helped them round. The course was shortened for all classes.

Comet Duos (8 entrants): G. and C.Gambrill (31) were first away in the drifting match, but in the scrum that formed when the Comet Fleet overtook the Duos, there were several changes of lead and eventually they finished: 1.R.Gower/B.Gauntlett (100),2.G.Gambrill/C.Gambrill (31),3.F.Oliver/G.Oliver

Comets (25 entrants): Even a class that excels in light winds .I.Coppenhall(636) and B.Herring (730)led the drift initially only to lose the lead to M.Wilkins (657)I.. However Coppenhall was not to be denied and they finished 1.I Coppenhall,2. P.Hayes (803) 3. M.Wilkins.

Comet Minos (7 entrants): Since these are Comets with a reduced rig, they suffered in the conditions and three retired. S.Govier (377) led from the start and was followed hom by B.Noble (747) and R.Stevenson (820).

Comet Versas (4 entrants): Providing a dash of colour with their asymmetric spinnakes which proved their worth in the light airs, M. and A. Cox (202) won after A.Simmons and A.Daley (225), who had been leading retired due to a misunderstanding. G.and J. Cowin were second.

Day 1, Race 2:

A quadrilateral course was set to suit the ebbing tide and a light Northerly wind which freshened as the race progressed to give reasonable sailing conditions although the direction was very variable.

Comet Duos: R.Gower sacrificed a good lead at the first buoy and thereafter four other dinghies had the lead at one time or another in close racing. S. and A.Linton (150) eventually came home ahead of N. and A.Ford (93) and G.Gambrill.

Comets: This featured an epic struggle between I.Coppenhall and J.Windibamk (555). The latter led initially and on one run Coppenhall dropped back some six places. The next leg featured a strong cross tide where Windibank lost ground in the light wind. Coppenhall was first to the line followed by Windibank and R.Ballam (518).

Comet Versa: The light conditions suited Cox who pulled away to win from Cowin and Simmons.

Comet Mino: With a light wind and a stong tide, three dinghies were caught on the wrong side of the starting line whilst the rest of the fleet took off. After a struggle with Noble, Stevenson had the last word with S.Govier third.

Day 2, Race 3:

There was an early start with a S.W. Force 2-3 wind which gradually increased throughout the day to a Force gusting 6.

Comets: Starting first to avoid yesterday’s problems when the Comets overtook the Duos, S.Thompson (809) was never headed and Coppenhall and M.Wilkins (657) finished in that order after a struggle.

Comet Duos: The Gambrill’s initial bid for the front was thwarted by S. and A Linton (1500 who in turn were superseded by Gower who maintained that position to the end,followed by Gambrill and F. and M. Smith (43).

Comet Versas: A.Simmons drew on his considerable experience to overcome Cox’s initial challenge. Cowin was in third place.

Comet Mino: After a promising start, R.Stevenson (820) hit a mark and the time lost in penalty turns allowed Noble to overtake and open up a big lead. Govier and J.Husthwaite (689) were 2nd. and 3rd.

Day 2, Race 4:

The wind was now Force 4 and there were 2 capsizes before the start.

Comets: This was s.Lemmon’s race from start to finish with competition between Windibank and S.Thompson for second place, which Windibank won.

Comet Duos: The conditions were to Smith’s taste, but he was pipped on the last buoy by the Gambrill’s, with Gower in third place.

Comet Versa: All boats led at some stage, but Simmons used the tide to open up a big gap from Cox and Cowin.

Comet Minos: This was Stevenson’s race from beginning to end with Noble in constant attendance. Husthwaite beat Govier for third place.

Day 2, Race 5:

The wind was now approaching Force 5 and gusting. Many dinghies retired and the three safety boats plus the Herne Bay Sea Cadets’ launch, which had acted as Committee Boat, were in constant action. The race was shortened to one lap.

Comets: 1. I.Coppenhall. 2. C.Robinson 3. P.Hossell
Comet Duos: 1. Ford. 2. Gambrill. 3. Gower
Comet Versa: 1. Simmons
Comet Minos: 1. Noble. 2. Govier

Overall Results:

Comets:
1st I.Coppenhall (636) Hunts
2nd S.Thompson (809) Crawley Mariners S.C.
3rd J.Windibank (555) Chipstead S.C.

Comet Duos:
1st G and C. Gambrill (31) Hampton Pier Y.C.
2nd R.Gower and B. Gauntlett. Hampton Pier Y.C.
3rd F. and M. Smith (43) Hampton Pier Y.C.

Comet Versa:
1st A.Simmons and A.Daley (246) N.Devon Y.C.
2nd M.and A. Cox (202) Hampton Pier Y.C.
3rd G. and J. Cowin (246) Hampton Pier Y.C.

Comet Minos:
1st B.Noble (747) Hampton Pier Y.C.
2nd S.Govier (377) Hampton Pier Y.C.
3rd R.Stevenson (820) Winsford Flash S.C.