Optimist Open 2023 at Hayling Island Sailing Club

We were again blessed with perfect sailing conditions for the Hayling Island Optimist open.

Main Fleet

The main fleet set sail 14 knts heading for the Bracksham Bay race track. It was a decent length sail for the 58 Optimists but on arrival we could see that the steady breeze and flat water was going to make it worth it.

Hayling Island Open 2023 - photo © Paul Sanwell / OPP

With a small amount of tide pulling the fleet off the start line we could see it wasn't going to be hard to get clean starts. Race Office Sandy Ramus went straight in with the U and got them away first time. Thomas Saunders showed the fleet the importance of a good transit starting 5 boat lengths to weather of the drifting pack and led at the windward mark. He couldn't hold off the ever dominate Lila Edwards and finish 2nd with Joe Wimpory taking the 3rd.

Races 2 and 3 saw building breeze with a maximum gust on the committee boat of 18.6 knts. It was another great start by Thomas and home grown HISC sailor Amelia Kent. Amelia rounded 2nd at the top mark and manage to get through Thomas to take a well deserved bullet.

Hayling Island Open 2023 - photo © Paul Sanwell / OPP

With the tide getting stronger and the wind more gusty, with some decent shifts, it was eyes out the boat that would take Hugo Fletcher, Sebby Baily and Lila Edward to the front in that order in race 3.

Hayling house laid on a great BBQ and the early finish meant that children and the parents could enjoy the lovely beach and the club bar.

Waking up early on Sunday morning we could again see clear blue skis and the trees bending. It was going to be another great day.

Hayling Island Open 2023 - photo © Paul Sanwell / OPP

The fleet were greeted with 23-25knts from the NE. After an exciting sail out the wind settled down to 18knts with plenty of shifts for the fleet to work with, this was not going to be a corner banging day.

Without the tide the fleet were pushing the line harder and 3 boats fell foul of the U flag. It was Joe Wimpory at the post with local lad Finn Ramus reeling in a couple of boats on the last leg to get the second. Harry Draper from Parkstone sailed a solid race and got the 3rd.

Hayling Island Open 2023 - photo © Paul Sanwell / OPP

By race 5 the wind was getting shifty again as the land heated up. There was a big lull on the first beat that put the cat amongst the pigeons before it filled in again. The rich got richer and it was Lila, then Finn and Eliana Edwards taking the top spots.

A huge left shift in sequence 6 meant the Race Committee had to reach for the AP. It came back and another clear U start got the fleet off. Memorable moment of the week was seeing the fleet coming into the leeward gate with a 20knt surprise gust. Some made the gybe and some didn't.

The final podium went to Lila, Eliana and Finn.

Regatta fleet

57 young sailors gathered on the Hayling beach for the Regatta fleet. We had champagne sailing conditions on West mud, close to the beach. 15 knots NE, full sunshine. Race 1 saw a crowded pin end & individual recall. Charlie Holland (HISC) had an excellent pin end start. First to the top mark was Flynn Grant (CYC). An early gybe on the run saw Holland move into 1st and win race 1, second place to Chloe Davis (PYC). Race 2 saw a drop in breeze at the start and a right shift, the fleet split half right, half left. Holland pulled through from the right taking first at the windward mark, with a close second Sean Di Salle (Gurnard SC). The breeze increased on the Trapezoid course with the sailors plaining down the bottom reach. Sean Di Salle squeezed ahead of Charlie Holland, and finished first with a comfortable lead, second Finn Byrne (HISC & Pevensey).

Hayling Island Open 2023 - photo © Paul Sanwell / OPP

Race 3 saw some big gusts coming down the course and some great resilience was shown by many inexperienced racers down the fleet... lots of good bailing out! The wonderful Hayling parent team, excelled themselves both on the water and on the beach, giving these young sailors lots of enthusiastic support.

James Ward (Race Officer) skilfully beat the tide with race 3 & 4 completed in time.

Race 3 saw Holland get to mark 1 first. On the second, and last upwind leg Di Salle pushed through to win the race. A very closely fought third place saw Felix Palmer Ward (HISC) take it.

Hayling Island Open 2023 - photo © Paul Sanwell / OPP

Race 4 saw the winner coming out the right side of the course, Di Salle & Byrne fought it out downwind, and Sean Di Salle taking his third win of the day.

Sunday started breezy (20 knots + N) and a progression over to Pilsey race area. The fleet were safely lead over the tide to the race area, and an outer trapezoid was the course of choice. The first start saw a left shift and tide underneath the sailors, spotted by many who made a nice port tack start. 15-18 knots. Holland pulled through Byrne in the second upwind leg to gain his second first of the event. Some brave sailors further down the fleet saw a very windy gybe mark with some big gusts, well done for all those who completed the race.

Race 6 saw 2 general recalls with tide underneath the fleet. In a decreasing breeze we saw a left shift. Jack Ward (HISC) took a convincing lead with Charlie Holland second. The tide swept him onto the leeward mark. Swiftly taking his penalty turn he kept his lead, the stretched it out by half a leg.

Hayling Island Open 2023 - photo © Paul Sanwell / OPP

The last race saw Chloe Davis getting a cracker of a start at the pin end, now tide against. Charlie Holland took his third first of the event.

With one point in it after discards, Sean Di Salle took first overall, with Charlie Holland second and Finn Byrne third, and one point behind, Chloe Davis fourth and first girl. Second girl Amelia Reynard (15th overall), third girl Annabelle Scott (HISC, 16th overall). Endeavour prize to Zoe Green. Thank you to all the visiting sailors, and well done to those completing their first open meeting.

Hayling Island Open 2023 - photo © Paul Sanwell / OPP

I would like to thank Hayling Island sailing club and all the staff for a great event and to the sponsors Savilles Estate Agents and AR Design Studio Architects for their continued support of the class. Lastly a massive thank you to all the helpers who made this event possible.

Overall Results: