UKLA ILCA 7 Masters Qualifier at Parkstone Yacht Club
by Guy Noble 26 Apr 2023 17:21 BST
22-23 April 2023
The first UKLA Masters event of the year, a fantastic club, the variable and changelings of Poole
Harbour, and the stage was set for 78 UK ILCA Masters sailors to test their metal. In the fleet of 48
ILCA7 sailors there were Masters World champions, Olympians and National Champions - it was
effectively a mini Nationals. But as is often the case with a six race event it's consistency that will
prove decisive.
Hats off to Chris Whalley (Apprentice Master) from PYC for winning the 2023 Parkstone Masters.
Never out the top ten he sailed a solid and smart regatta with two bullets.
All the forecasts said the weekends weather would be difficult to predict which proved spot on.
Saturday started sunny and warmish, with everyone eager to get racing. Although not more than 6
or 7 knots SE we all made our way across the harbour to the race area just off Brownsea Island.
The day's three races were sailed in what could be accurately characterised as puffy and super shifty
conditions.
Saturday
R1 - With an ebbing tide and a SE, it paid to keep out to the left. At the second attempt the fleet
were away with the majority down at the pin end. By the second mark Roger O'Gorman was
leading but Paul Robinson, David Surkov and William Macdonald (who was UFD) were all in the in
the top 5. Chris Whalley had work to do but ended the race 1st with Howell Roberts PYC in 2nd
and Roger slipping to 3rd.
R2 - (I have to declare a special interesting this one as it is the first race in major event I have won -
and I'm going to get a ribbing for writing this). Starting about mid line I had a perfect transit with
the pin and a funnel on a ship in the docks. As there was a big line sag at 20 seconds I accelerated
hitting the transit at the start gun - Boy does a bit of space make a difference.
After taking a short
hitch up on port to get what I thought was a bit more pressure I tacked back onto starboard
getting a slight lift. I could see the majority of the fleet below me were being lifted which was good
for me as they would soon have to tack and therefore be disadvantaged. I tacked back onto port
and had moved into the next left shift and was lifted to the mark. There was only Tim Law SYC in
front of me although Michael Atkinson PYC and Peter Young BBSC were hot on my heels.
After a
fairly short reach to get to the outer loop Tim opted to go slightly right down the run. I kept to
more to the centre with Michael and Peter to the left. I managed to get past Tim and took the left
gate with a small lead over Tim. By now the wind had moved more left making the long tack port.
Peter rounded 3rd. Micheal tacked off under the fleet which proved the better move. By the top
mark I had lost the lead to Michael but had pulled away slightly from Tim and Peter.
By the final
run down to the finish Michael and I were neck and neck I managed to move over to the right
getting a bit more wind and perhaps more tide - then made my move to cut over to the left to get
the inside as we approach the mark. With a short close reach to the finish it was all over. Like
loosing your virginity you will never forget your first big win! 1st Guy Noble, 2nd Michael Atkinson,
3rd Peter Young, 4th Tim Law, 5th Mark Lyttle.
R3 - The sun came out which made for some great photos. With a more even line several of what
turned out to be the winners started from the committee boat end of the line. By the second mark
it was Alan Davis leading and Chris Whalley second followed by about 6 boats closely packed
together. This race saw some real snakes and ladders... Neil Davies pulled out a terrific 4th, Alan
Davis slipped to 3rd, Stuart Hudson moved up to take 2nd and Chris took line honours by some
considerable margin.
One of the great things about events at Parkstone Yacht club is, well the club house! Since it was
rebuilt in 2017 it has become one of the most impressive clubs in Europe. As the sun sets on Poole
harbour you can eat well soak up the relaxed family atmosphere.
Sunday
Not the brightest or the windiest start to a day racing I seen. In fact although we limped our way
out to the start around 10:30 it really was looking pretty grim. After about an hour the committee
boat received news that just off shore there was 13 knots from the west and Weymouth had
10kts. So it was coming it was just a matter of waiting.
R4 - 5 knots Southerly-ish provided a very stern test of patience guile. Qualities Stuart Hudson has
in abundance helping him secure his first win. Alan Davis based a second and Mark Lyttle 3rd.
R5 - At about 13:30 someone switched the wind on. During this race a decidedly chilly and rainy
front swept in giving us 10 knots SW/S. Now we had a race! Michael Atkinson won with Orlando
Gledhill 2nd and Roger O'Gorman 3rd.
R6 - the RO just got in the final race before the 3pm cut off. He also changed the course to a
windward / leeward course. The left paid with Alan Davis first around the windward mark closely
followed by Orlando Gledhill and Tim Law 3rd. Unfortunately for Alan he was UFD so was out and
this put pay to taking the overall title. Tim Law came through to take the win, Chris Whalley 2nd
and Howell Roberts 3rd.
There were some standout performances from several that need a mention. Getting into to the
top ten is no mean achievement which is exactly what David Surkov did twice. David has been
pushing himself hard by recently competing in the senior Europeans. Mathew Knight also got 2
top tens and Neil Davies 3 top tens and 10th overall.
The prize-giving was made very special by the incredible generosity of the sponsors: Ovington
Boats, Rooster, Sailingfast, Southeast Sailboats and Fernhurst Books - these all contributed to the
terrific prizes handed out to the winners. And to Noble Marine for their annual sponsorship.
A big thanks you to the on-the-water team headed by RO Graham Davies and the on shore team at
PYC.
Overall Results: (* = penalty for not tallying)
Apprentice Master: 1st - Chris Whalley. 2nd - Neil Davies
Master: 1st - Howell Roberts. 2nd - Roger O'Gorman. 3rd - Orlando Gledhill
Grand Master: 1st - Stuart Hudson. 2nd - Alan Davis. 3rd - Mark Lyttle
Great Grand Master: 1st - Tim Law
Pos | Group | Helm | Sail No | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | Pts |
1st | Apprentice | Chris Whalley | 210410 | Parkstone YC | 1 | ‑9 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 18 |
2nd | Master | Hywel Roberts | 220442 | Parkstone | 2 | ‑13 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 22 |
3rd | Grand | Stuart Hudson | 204644 | Keyhaven YC | 8 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 7 | ‑11 | 25 |
4th | Grand | Alan Davis | 220433 | Parkstone | 4 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 11 | (UFD) | 26 |
5th | Master | Roger O'Gorman | IRL 215198 | Parkstone | 3 | 10 | 9 | 4 | 3 | (UFD) | 29 |
6th | Grand | Mark Lyttle | 217871 | Queen Mary SC | 10 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 8 | (RET) | 33 |
7th | Master | Orlando Gledhill | 218699 | Queen Mary SC | 7 | 8 | 14 | ‑29 | 2 | 4 | 35 |
8th | Great Grand | Tim Law | 195867 | Salcombe YC | 11 | 4 | 18 | ‑25 | 4 | 1 | 38 |
9th | Master | Andy Le Grice | 213640 | Warsash SC | ‑16 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 12 | 45 |
10th | Apprentice | Neil Davies | 213773 | Parkstone | ‑20 | 12 | 4 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 49 |
11th | Apprentice | Michael Clark | 193444 | Bough Beech | 12 | 14 | 6 | 14 | ‑18 | 6 | 52 |
12th | Grand | Michael Atkinson | 220438 | Parkstone YC | ‑30 | 2 | 22 | 28 | 1 | 5 | 58 |
13th | Grand | Guy Noble | 222201 | Queen Mary SC | ‑23 | 1 | 12 | 7 | 22 | 16 | 58 |
14th | Master | Peter Young | 209833 | Bough Beech SC | 17 | 3 | 15 | 10 | ‑21 | 17 | 62 |
15th | Master | Roger Hakes | 212400 | Parkstone | 15 | ‑19 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 65 |
16th | Master | Matthew Knight | 217877 | Queen Mary SC | 5 | 21 | 19 | ‑23 | 17 | 8 | 70 |
17th | Master | Simon Hardiman | 212061 | Bartley SC | 13 | ‑27 | 20 | 8 | 20 | 7 | *73 |
18th | Master | David Surkov | UKR 218279 | Queen Mary SC | 6 | ‑33 | 24 | 20 | 12 | 9 | *76 |
19th | Master | Matthew Fletcher | 195049 | Queen Mary SC | 27 | 18 | ‑38 | 18 | 14 | 19 | 96 |
20th | Grand | Paul Robinson | USA 208838 | | 19 | 28 | 16 | 15 | 24 | (UFD) | 102 |
21st | Master | Adrian Lynham | 216611 | Stokes Bay SC | 22 | ‑25 | 21 | 22 | 16 | 22 | 103 |
22nd | Grand | Chris Ellyatt | 214415 | Queen Mary SC | 9 | 16 | 13 | 19 | (DNC) | DNC | 106 |
23rd | Apprentice | Peter Edel | 222574 | King George SC | 14 | ‑31 | 26 | 16 | 23 | 31 | 110 |
24th | Master | Nick Morgan | 203309 | | ‑33 | 20 | 32 | 24 | 25 | 15 | 116 |
25th | Apprentice | William MacDonald | CAN 216367 | Wembley | (UFD) | 17 | 29 | 33 | 15 | 23 | 117 |
26th | Grand | Rob Kemp | 218434 | | 28 | 26 | 23 | ‑34 | 29 | 20 | 126 |
27th | Grand | Nick Shuttleworth | 212406 | | 29 | 29 | 17 | 39 | ‑40 | 18 | 132 |
28th | Grand | David Casale | 211257 | Stokes Bay SC | 18 | 32 | ‑37 | 21 | 33 | 30 | 134 |
29th | Grand | Bob Cudmore | 222557 | Parkstone YC | 34 | 22 | ‑44 | 42 | 26 | 13 | 137 |
30th | Grand | Joza Cic | 211870 | Wembley SC | ‑37 | 35 | 33 | 17 | 34 | 21 | 140 |
31st | Master | Colston Nichols | 204966 | Parkstone | (UFD) | 41 | 47 | 11 | 19 | 25 | 143 |
32nd | Master | Dan Wealthy | 122528 | Warsash | 31 | 34 | ‑36 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 146 |
33rd | Grand | David Hartgill | 222545 | Parkstone YC | 26 | 30 | 31 | ‑37 | 36 | 26 | 149 |
34th | Master | Chris Turner | 223057 | Lyme Regis | 21 | 24 | 10 | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | 153 |
35th | Grand | Gareth Humphrey | 212146 | Spinnaker | ‑39 | 38 | 34 | 27 | 31 | 27 | 157 |
36th | Master | Terence ONEILL | 218983 | Seafarers | ‑38 | 36 | 28 | 32 | 30 | 33 | 159 |
37th | Master | Stephen Ehrhart | 212907 | | 32 | ‑42 | 40 | 30 | 35 | 24 | 161 |
38th | Grand | Julian Wilkins | 207700 | Chichester | ‑41 | 39 | 30 | 35 | 32 | 32 | 168 |
39th | Grand | Carl Avery | 197774 | Burton SC | 36 | ‑40 | 35 | 31 | 38 | 29 | 169 |
40th | Apprentice | Nicolas Van Tienen | 215376 | Stokes Bay SC | 24 | 23 | 27 | (RET) | DNC | DNC | 172 |
41st | Grand | David Wilkinson | 200912 | | (UFD) | 15 | 41 | 38 | 37 | UFD | 180 |
42nd | Grand | Wayne Williams | 209059 | Langstone SC | 25 | 37 | 25 | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | 185 |
43rd | Master | Alan Holloway | 209487 | Wembley SC | 35 | 43 | 43 | 36 | 39 | (DNC) | 196 |
44th | Master | Martin Wadsworth | 159277 | Poole YC | 42 | 46 | 42 | 40 | 28 | (DNC) | 198 |
45th | Grand | Jonathan Stirling | 217841 | London Corinthian | 44 | ‑47 | 46 | 41 | 41 | 34 | 206 |
46th | Grand | Nicholas King | 218838 | | 43 | 45 | 39 | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | 225 |
47th | Grand | John Ridd | 222562 | Parkstone | 40 | 44 | 45 | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | 227 |
48th | Grand | Andrew Hartley | 220430 | Parkstone YC | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 245 |