Having arrived ever-hopeful to no wind at Shoreham SC on Sunday morning, after a well-judged one hour postponement a depleted fleet hit the water. Despite having to be towed out of the harbor, they were greeted by a beautiful sunny force 1, which might have got to a force 2 at times.
Toni and Jamie Wright in their Merlin won the race to the windward mark only to be rolled by fellow Merlin sailors and visitors, Andy Dalby crewed by Will Carroll and William Warren with Merlin super-crew Alex Warren.
The D-one of Tyler Harmsworth, Merlin of Sophie Mackley and James Warren and Ivan Walsh in his Phantom got through after Toni and Jamie did turns for hitting the mark and they proceeded in that order until the next windward mark when having clipped Andy’s rudder on gybe William did his 720, letting Sophie and James through to second and Tyler third on the water.
This was the finishing order for race one with Andy narrowly beating Sophie and James by three seconds. On handicap third went to William and Alex, followed by Ivan and Tyler.
It was all change in the second race as some of the crews took over, with Alex Warren taking charge and Jamie Wright winning the race for the pin end.
Sophie and James fought to pass Andy and Will, who unknown to them had been pushed on course side at the start. And they extended their lead to take the win, on the water and on handicap. Ralph Hussey in his K1 secured second overall on handicap from Alex and Will, Tyler then Jamie and Toni.
There was unanimous surprise that we had got in two such excellent races so a huge vote of thanks goes to our fantastic race officer Stuart Scarff and assistant Paul Wilcox, with great support from the safety crews of Mark Trott, Saul Dubrow, Will Rainey and Neil Turner.
Races 4 and 5 of the cooler series will start on Sunday 16 November at 11am and all visitors are welcome with free entry and boat parking for the remaining weekends.