Paignton Open for Single Handers (POSH)
by Steve Ashford 15 May 2012 21:33 BST
12-13 May 2012
Paignton POSH Regatta 2012 © Steve Ashford
68 single handers raced in three fleets at Paignton POSH Regatta (Paignton Open for Single Handers) on 12th – 13th May.
Saturday racing started in a brisk easterly. The Assymetrics fleet comprised six Devotti D-Ones, a solitary RS Vareo and five RS100s who were getting a taster for their Nationals to be held at Paignton 2-5th June.
Fleet 2 consisted of eight RS600s (with five Paignton sailors), fifteen Phantoms, and thirteen Contenders.
Finally Fleet 3 started with a mixture of ten Blazes (four of them Paignton boats), a Halo, two Solos, an International Canoe and a handful of Lasers and Radials.
Race 1 Assymetrics was won By Charlie Cumbley (D-One) followed by the RS100s of Steve Birbeck and Neal Freeman.
The Phantoms and Contenders in Fleet 2 were having a close battle with Graham Scott and Matt Aston first and second with the RS600 of Peter Nelson in third.
Fleet 3 was won by Chris Hampe (International Canoe) followed by Jonathan Saunders and Mike Lyons.
The wind dropped off for Races 2 and 3 which were both completed due to fine decision making by PROs Roger and Jackie Gater in getting trapezoid and asymmetric windward leeward courses adjusted and shortening the courses.
Race 2 was dominated by the D-Ones of Charlie Cumbley and Nick Simmons and the RS100 of Neal Freeman.
In Fleet 2 the Phantoms of Andrew Wilde and Andy Couch got in the groove with Simon Hawkes in third place.
In Fleet 3, Mike Lyons found form with first place, Chris Hampe second with David Angwin (Halo) third.
The sailors were fed with a chilli washed down with Devon brewed real ale, which ran out unfortunately! Next year extra barrels are being provided, now we know that single handers can obviously get a lot thirstier than normal sailors!
Sunday dawned with a swinging Northerly which gradually went round to the Southwest. Racing got underway by 11.am.in a moderate breeze. 2 races were scheduled and most of the fleets completed all 5 races other than those with gear failure (one Paignton Radial with a snapped mast). Trends followed pretty much the same as Saturday except the International Canoe of Chris Hampe cleaned up in Fleet 3 and the RS600 of Peter Nelson who sailed consistently without winning a race to win the series.
The POSH event was a first time event for Paignton and all agreed it was a great success and it has become apparent that Paignton offers tremendous sailing in a beautiful setting with sheltered and accessible launching facilites and free and close-by parking and plentiful accommodation.
Several championships are in the Paignton calendar including the RS100 and Scorpion Nationals. We are hosting the Laser Masters later this year once again. The Blazes are particularly enthusiastic and have already booked next year's event.
Overall Results:
Assymetrics
1st Charlie Cumbley, D-One
2nd Neal Freeman, RS100
3rd Nick Simmons, D-One
Fleet 2
1st Peter Nelson, RS600
2nd Graham Scott, Contender
3rd James Dawson, Phantom
Fleet 3
1st Mike Lyons, Blaze
2nd Chris Hampe, International Canoe
3rd Jonathan Saunders, Blaze
Overall results can be found at www.paigntonsailingclub.com/results/2012/special/2012_Special_Paignton%20POSH%20.html