Europe Open at Chichester Yacht Club

Chichester Yacht Club Hadron Europe Open © Chris Turner

Lots of thrills and spills at Chichester Yacht Club for the first Open Meeting of the season. 14 intrepid Europe sailors launched, after a short postponement ashore, in about 20 knots of wind for the first of 4 races.

The event was shared with the H2's who decided to opt for triangle course,but Europe sailors are made of sterner stuff and went for triangle, sausage course for optimum entertainment off wind.

Race 1 saw quite a lot of capsizes at the gybes and a good battle throughout the fleet, despite Steve Cockerill & Lucy Boreham both having a moment at the wing mark held off the rest of the fleet for 1st & 2nd with John Rees in 3rd. You could tell it was the 1st race of the season with a few going around the wrong mark or forgetting if we were on a triangle or a sausage lap as well as a number of capsizes.

Chichester Yacht Club Hadron Europe Open - photo © Chris Turner

Race 2 was in similar wind, again a bit of a mess on the gybe for many, Lucy managed to keep the mast out of the water to take the win with John in 2nd & Emma Pearson in 3rd.

Race 3 started in the windiest conditions and with the tide on the turn it was starting to get a bit lumpy as well as gusty. Steve redeemed himself after a retirement in race 2 with a comfortable win followed by Jeremy Hartley in 2nd and Lucy in 3rd. Joe Penhaul Smith had a solid race finishing 4th.

The last race was a two lap affair with a much depleted fleet! Steve again showed the way John had an excellent 2nd and Lucy picked up another 3rd.

Chichester Yacht Club Hadron Europe Open - photo © Chris Turner

With 3 firsts Steve Cockerill took the win, Lucy in 2nd and John 3rd.

The race team were kept busy with quick turn around between races, much appreciated by the sailors and the patrol boats had plenty to do, especially on the downwind legs.

Lots of tired sailors returned ashore to a much appreciated sailors tea and prizes.

Next up is HISC, with most of the fleet hoping for slightly less wind so we can go play in the waves in the bay.

Overall Results: