Icicle Series at Highcliffe Sailing Club - Day 2

Day 2 of the Icicle Series at Highcliffe © Sarah Desjonqueres

Day 2 of the Icicle Series at Highcliffe © Sarah Desjonqueres

A fantastic turnout of 34 boats

For a moment, when Hengistsbury Head disappeared behind a thick veil of mist, races 3&4 of Highcliffe SC Icicle series looked like they might need a rethink, but as the start time drew nearer, the air cleared and the harbour became visible once more.

Again Highcliffe SC were treated to a wide-ranging display of boats ready to race. 14 different classes lined up including a visiting trio of RSAero 7s, RSAero 5, RS200s, RSVision, RS300 and RSFeva, Lasers, Radials and 4.7s, Solo, Comet, Europe, Fireball and several Finns.

By the 10.30 start, a steady SSW F4 breeze had spread across the harbour and the 34 boats that jostled for position on this very busy start line had little care for the dull, grey skies overhead. With 10 seconds to go, several shouts went up, the Aero 7s seemed to squeeze themselves into impossibly small spaces and down the far end, next to clubhouse, someone ended up upside down. But the race started with no issues with only the one boat over the line and everyone sheeted in for the long beat over towards the Coastguard station on Hengistsbury Head.

Storming across the harbour went visitor C. Arnell(RS300), followed closely behind by J.Arnell (Finn), Barton (Aero7) and Moss (Finn). Battling in their wake were a competitive cluster of local Highcliffe Lasers lead by Rusden, Fowler, Phelps and Tarrant (Radial). They were seen dipping, tacking and holding course as they criss crossed over each other up to the windward mark.

C.Arnell kept his lead throughout receiving the first finish of the race. The real tussle was between Team Bowen(RS200) and J.Arnell who after 3 rounds ended up neck and neck across the line finishing with only 1 second between them, Team Bowen coming out on top.

After correction, Race 3 went to Lymington SC's Barton followed 40 seconds later by Mudeford's Reid (Radial) then Highcliffe's Rusden (Laser).

Race 4 was equally frantic at the start with too many eager sailors over line at the horn. A general recall was sounded and the race restarted, successfully, second time round. It was J.Arnell who led the pack from start to finish chased round by Keyhaven's Moss and Steel (Finn), Parkstone's Team Bowen and Rusden in the lead Laser.

Both the tide and wind dropped as the race progressed, leaving behind little water with which to round the leeward mark and little puff on which to finish the race. J.Arnell did not relinquish the lead throughout crossing the line ahead of Team Bowen and Herbert. After correction, Royal Lymington's Herbert (Aero7) took first, Barton second and Arnell slotted into third place.

Day 2 of the Icicle Series at Highcliffe - photo © Sarah Desjonqueres

After 4 races the overall leaderboard standings place Mudeford's Reid at the top, Parkstone's Team Bowen in second and Christchurch's J.Arnell in third.The next 2 races will take place 7th February at 10.30am with the final 2 of the series on 21st February.

Highcliffe Sailing club always welcomes new members and visitors offering harbour and sea racing all year round. Further details can be found at www.highcliffesailing.co.uk or find us on Facebook.

Results after Day 2: (four races, 1 discard)