Sam Pascoe steered his Musto Skiff to a masterful victory in the Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash 2023

by Andy Rice 21 Nov 2023 15:44 GMT 18-19 November 2023

Sam Pascoe wins the Draycote Dash 2023 by 1 point © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Multiple dinghy champion Sam Pascoe trapezed his Musto Skiff to a one-point victory at the Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash last weekend, 18 & 19 November. This was the first of eight events in the 15th edition of the Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series.

Competing in a 109 boat handicap fleet made up of 44 different dinghy, catamaran and keelboat classes, Pascoe won the weekend by a single point from the RS800 sailed by Tom Morris and Guy Fillmore.

The breezy weather made for a trapeze boat top three, with Olympic aspirants Arran Holman and Alex Hughes sailing their 470 to victory on Pursuit Race Sunday and third overall.

Draycote Dash 2023 - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

There was a diverse entry of sailors ranging from 11 to 76 years old, and 41 youth competitors, all looking to enjoy close racing in four back-to-back handicap races on the Saturday followed by the two-hour Pursuit Race on Sunday morning.

With low pressure dominating the UK's weather, the forecast was not too encouraging, with storms, wet and windy conditions predicted. Fortunately conditions at Draycote Water turned out much better than expected, with a moderate but gusty breeze and mainly dry conditions. The trapeze boats were powered up most of the time, making it good going around the square courses on Saturday for the faster boats and hard work for the hikers.

Draycote Dash 2023 - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Rob Richardson sailed his Musto Skiff to victory in the first race of the weekend, but the next three went to Sam Pascoe, with the RS800 of Morris and Fillmore in hot pursuit with a bunch of 2nd places.

The breeze was slightly higher for the Sunday as local Topper sailor Oscar Rowe took the lead for the first hour of the tortoise-and-hare competition. Bronwen Thomas, another local sailor, hiked her ILCA 4 singlehander into the lead, then to be overtaken by Series veteran Val Millward from Rutland in her Challenger trimaran. Eventually the trapeze boats started to come through, first the 420 of Imogen Wade and Hugo Valentine of Draycote, before they were overtaken by the eventual winners Holman and Hughes in their 470.

Imogen Wade and Hugo Valentine in the Draycote Dash 2023 - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

As the 470 took the lead, Pascoe was down in 17th and a good mile behind the leader, but still catchable. Pascoe was pushing hard but capsized with 13 minutes to the finish yet still managed to recover to 4th by the finish. He finished just a place behind the RS800 who crossed in 3rd, so Pascoe won overall by the smallest of margins.

Pascoe breathed a big sigh of relief after a big weekend out. "Proper brutal today with lots of death angle reaching," he grinned. "The lake was completely full of white caps and we were doing 17 knots hanging on for dear life without the kite." Pascoe finished runner-up at the GJW Direct Bloody Mary at the start of the year and is planning on coming back for more this winter. "They're brilliant, well-run events and it's great training for next year's Musto Skiff Worlds in Weymouth."

Behind the front three podium finishers it was Ed Presley's Contender in 4th and Ben Flower hiked his ILCA 7 to 5th overall, first non-trapeze boat at the event just ahead of former Series winners Tom Gillard and Rachael Gray in their Scorpion. First junior was Draycote's Freddie Sunderland who took his ILCA 6 to 8th overall.

Draycote Dash 2023 - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

The GPS tracking always brings up some interesting viewing during and after racing. The breeze was strong enough for even the Toppers to be hitting sustained speeds over 8 knots.

Top sustained speeds from SailRacer GPS trackers:

Daniel GOODMAN, Waszp, 16.31 kts
Thomas MORRIS, RS800, 15.87 kts
Sam PASCOE, Musto Skiff, 15.26 kts

Corrected sustained speeds:

Imogen WADE, 420, 11.43 kts
Sam PASCOE, Musto Skiff, 15.26 kts
Val MILLWARD, Challenger, 10.75 kts

Next event on the schedule is the Datchet Flyer on 9 & 10 December, with 30 boats already entered including a Norfolk Punt crewed by Ed Clifford and Alex Standley.

To enter this and the other events, go to www.sailjuiceseries.com

Draycote Dash 2023 - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Overall Results:

Pos	Class	Sail No	Helm	Crew	Club	R1	R2	R3	R4	Pur	Pts
1	Musto Skiff	636	Sam PASCOE		Castle Cove SC	‑4	1	1	1	4	7
2	RS800	1248	Thomas MORRIS	Guy FILLMORE	Hayling Island SC	2	2	(BFD)	2	2	8
3	470	4	Arran HOLMAN	Alex HUGHES	Sutton SC	(DNC)	6	3	4	1	14
4	Contender	2708	Ed PRESLEY		Castle Cove SC	‑9	5	2	8	7	22
5	ILCA 7 / Laser	191126	Ben FLOWER		Paignton SC	13	‑14	5	7	3	28
6	Scorpion	2057	Thomas GILLARD	Rachael GRAY	Sheffield Vikings SC	7	9	8	‑16	5	29
7	Musto Skiff	645	Robert RICHARDSON		Royal Windermere YC	1	3	‑6	5	26	35
8	ILCA 6 / Laser Radial	222470	Freddie SUNDERLAND		Draycote Water SC	6	‑17	9	9	11	35
9	Musto Skiff	638	Sam BARKER		Castle Cove SC	5	4	‑7	6	29	44
10	505	9177	Tom JEFFCOATE	Tim HARTLEY	Chew Valley Lake SC	12	12	(BFD)	18	6	48
11	ILCA 6 / Laser Radial	213678	Derin Can SOYER		Draycote Water SC	(RET)	7	16	12	20	55
12	ILCA 4 / Laser 4.7	2214961	Bronwen THOMAS		Draycote Water SC	10	‑27	18	19	10	57
13	RS Aero 7	4307	Joe SCURRAH		Carsington SC	14	18	‑21	14	16	62
14	ILCA 7 / Laser	216239	Jamie BLAKE		Great Moor SC	18	‑33.5	13.5	29	18	78.5
15	Challenger	312	Val MILLWARD		Rutland SC	26	‑30	23	24.5	8	81.5
16	K1	175	Simon HAWKES		Castle Cove SC	22	‑36	24	22	14	82
17	Solo	6074	Chris BROWN		Draycote Water SC	24.5	15	(BFD)	21	23	83.5
18	RS Aero 6	3866	Ellie CRAIG		Bassenthwaite SC	20	‑35	22	32	13	87
19	ILCA 6 / Laser Radial	223085	Felicity ANGELL		Draycote Water SC	15	16	‑47	26	37.5	94.5
20	RS300	371	Matt BANBROOK		Bowmoor SC	‑39.5	22	25	30	25	102
21	ILCA 7 / Laser	222540	George COLQUITT		West Kirby SC	‑45	38	15	36.5	15	104.5
22	Challenger	280	Duncan GREENHALGH		Bassenthwaite SC	27	‑41	30	36.5	12	105.5
23	RS Vareo	621	Luke FISHER		Emberton Park SC	24.5	‑32	29	31	35	119.5
24	420	56943	Imogen WADE	Hugo VALENTINE	Draycote Water SC	3	‑10	4	3	DSQ	120
25	Comet Trio (MK I)	505	Adrian PADRO	Callem PADRO	Shustoke S.C	34	28	31	‑35	32	125
26	Blaze	862	Richard BOTTING		Draycote Water SC	‑52	33.5	19	28	52	132.5
27	505	9246	Michael SIMS	Adam KENNEY	Burton SC	8	8	12	‑13	DNC	138
28	Devoti D‑Zero	328	Thomas SOUTHWELL		Lee on Solent SC	51	‑64	28	42	22	143
29	Osprey	1382	Roger BLAKE	Jonathan OSGOOD	Great Moor SC	‑71	42	34	33	34	143
30	ILCA 7 / Laser	209976	William WHITTAKER		Draycote Water SC	39.5	‑48	32	41	31	143.5
31	420	57224	Gabs BURLTON	Hennie BURLTON	Royal Southern YC	28.5	26	69	(DNC)	21	144.5
32	ILCA 6 / Laser Radial	223458	Joe ROWE		Draycote Water SC	(BFD)	13	11	11	DNC	145
33	ILCA 6 / Laser Radial	221502	Sam GRAYTON		Draycote Water SC	17	11	(BFD)	15	DNC	153
34	420	55854	Clem MIDDLE	Adam AZIZ	Draycote Water SC	‑90	59	35.5	43	17	154.5
35	Graduate	3020	Fresh ABENDSTERN	Ross Southwell	R.D.N.B.Y.C.	43	47	41	‑54	27	158
36	420	55371	Eddie PALING	Eddie QUINN	Draycote Water SC	35	49	‑59	44	30	158
37	RS300	523	Harry MCVICAR		Draycote Water SC	11	21	17	(DNC)	DNC	159
38	RS200	1700	Ben WHALEY	Lorna GLEN	Parkstone YC	‑30	19	13.5	17	DNC	159.5
39	RS Aero 6	3674	Joe JONES		Burghfield SC	‑36	31	10	10	DNC	161
40	ILCA 4 / Laser 4.7	11	Peter ASTLEY		Draycote Water SC	41.5	‑67	38	47	39	165.5
41	Challenger	270	Graham HALL		Rutland SC	16	20	‑27	20	DNC	166
42	Scorpion	2026	Ian CADWALLADER	Ellie DEVEREUX	Draycote Water SC	59	58	37	(DNC)	19	173
43	RS400	1505	Chris LARR	Abigail LARR	Draycote Water SC	21	23	(DNF)	DNC	24	178
44	Topper	48672	Oscar ROWE		Draycote Water SC	31.5	‑77	43.5	59	47	181
45	RS Feva XL	8034	Mia HATELEY	Mona NYGARD	South Staffs SC	37	45	‑58	50.5	51	183.5
46	ILCA 7 / Laser	211405	Daniel WIGMORE		Grafham Water SC	31.5	‑39	20	24.5	DNC	186
47	RS Aero 7	1585	James EBERLEIN		Hythe & Saltwood SC	56	‑72	46	50.5	36	188.5
48	ILCA 7 / Laser	197774	Carl AVERY		Burton SC	46	50	53	‑60	41	190
49	RS Aero 7	3201	Nigel DAVIES		Draycote Water SC	33	‑37	26	23	DNC	192
50	Flying 15	3862	Pete BADHAM	Pete WHITE	Draycote Water SC	64	52	49	(DNC)	33	198
51	Enterprise	22901	Paul YOUNG	Lauren MORGAN	Midland SC	55	46	‑56	52	45	198
52	Vortex	2018	Jonathan CARTER		Rickmansworth SC	19	24	‑50	49	DNC	202
53	RS Aero 5	1717	Gwyneth LANYON		Notts County SC	(BFD)	25	43.5	27	DNC	205.5
54	Challenger	304	Alex HOVDEN		Rutland SC	23	44	35.5	‑46	DNC	212.5
55	Miracle	3805	Hannah METCALFE‑SMITH	Tom METCALFE‑SMITH	Thornbury SC	57	63	62	(DNC)	37.5	219.5
56	ILCA 4 / Laser 4.7	164422	Dilara SOYER		Draycote Water SC	44	‑53	33	34	DNC	221
57	ILCA 7 / Laser	216543	Marcellus PRYOR		Draycote Water SC	58	‑70	61	61	42	222
58	ILCA 7 / Laser	177453	Simon ODLING		Draycote Water SC	‑75	60.5	65	53	46	224.5
59	ILCA 4 / Laser 4.7	151120	Zach AZIZ		Draycote Water SC	48	‑51	42	40	DNC	240
60	RS200	1709	Bryn ABENDSTERN	Emma ROBERTSON	Toddbrook SC	‑73	68	73	56	43	240
61	420	54089	Chris HAMPSHIRE	Ollie LUMB	Draycote Water SC	50	‑57	45	38	DNC	243
62	ILCA 4 / Laser 4.7	215695	Hatty CONNOLLY		Draycote Water SC	47	‑65	52	39	DNC	248
63	Miracle	4114	Graham WATTS	Helen JACKS	Staunton Harold SC	49	43	54.5	‑58	DNC	256.5
64	RS Aero 7	1926	Brian COOPER		Draycote Water SC	63	83	‑86	71	40	257
65	Hadron H2	148	Dave BARKER		Draycote Water SC	54	‑62	40	57	DNC	261
66	RS Aero 7	1365	Steven ANGELL		Draycote Water SC	68	71	‑79	74	49	262
67	ILCA 6 / Laser Radial	164918	John CANT		Erith Yacht Club	53	54	‑57	48	DNC	265
68	RS Tera Pro	1885	Ben ANGELL		Draycote Water SC	(BFD)	81	67	70	48	266
69	RS200	1125	Marcus PAKES	Patrick PAKES	Haversham SC	85	‑88	75	69	44	273
70	Topper	46971	Edward WHITTAKER		Draycote Water SC	79	‑87	72	72	50	273
71	RS300	421	Chris HATTON		Bowmoor SC	28.5	29	(DNF)	DNC	DNC	277.5
72	RS200	1318	Nigel PEPPERDINE	Diana PEPPERDINE	Staunton Harold SC	62	56	51	(DNC)	DNC	279
73	ILCA 6 / Laser Radial	182627	Christine STATHAM		Attenborough SC	61	60.5	‑68	55	DNC	286.5
74	Phantom	1301	Matt PRITCHARD		Burton SC	69	69	39	(DNC)	DNC	287
75	470	891	Joseph WARWICKER	Charlotte BEARDSALL	Bough Beech SC	(DNC)	BFD	DNC	45	28	293
76	Blaze	763	Peter MCFARLANE		Burghfield SC	65	73	48	(DNC)	DNC	296
77	Supernova	588	Rob BELL		Emberton Park SC	67	‑75	60	63	DNC	300
78	Phantom	1457	Simon WIGMORE		Grafham Water	72	‑80	63	62	DNC	307
79	RS Aero 7	2549	Andy SHARP		Bowmoor SC	60	85	54.5	(DNC)	DNC	309.5
80	RS400	1552	Nathan SMITH	John IRONMONGER	Staunton Harold SC	41.5	55	(DNF)	DNC	DNC	316.5
81	RS300	346	David NUNN		Bowmoor SC	66	74	70	(DNC)	DNC	320
82	GP14	13456	Adeel KHAN	Roger JEFFS	Welsh Harp SC	70	79	64	(DNC)	DNC	323
83	ILCA 7 / Laser	182539	John NYGARD		Draycote Water SC	‑81	76	74	64	DNC	324
84	RS400	1113	Neil KELSALL	Beccy KELSALL‑GOOCH	Draycote Water SC	83	‑90	66	68	DNC	327
85	Byte CII	1237	Clive JACKSON		Dorchester SC	84	‑89	71	65	DNC	330
86	ISO	814	Bob LADELL	Tom CAVE	King George SC	‑82	78	80	66	DNC	334
87	Fireball	14778	Mike DEANE	Paul DISNEY	Draycote Water SC	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	9	339
88	RS200	1165	Esther HEATHCOTE	Ellie PICKARD	Bowmoor SC	88	‑97	76	67	DNC	341
89	Waszp	2928	Daniel GOODMAN		Datchet Water SC	86	66	85	(DNC)	DNC	347
90	RS200	732	Gregory JONES	Pete BLAKEY	Draycote Water SC	78	82	77	(DNC)	DNC	347
91	Topper	47533	Hari CLARK		Draycote Water SC	74	84	81	(DNC)	DNC	349
92	ILCA 6 / Laser Radial	182597	Nick RYLES		Wimbleball SC	38	94	(DNF)	DNC	DNC	352
93	Topper	42356	Oliver BARON		Draycote Water SC	87	‑95	84	73	DNC	354
94	Topper	46512	Alexander STAINTON		Draycote Water SC	80	92	78	(DNC)	DNC	360
95	RS Vareo	443	Paul NORTH		Milton Keynes SC	76	96	82	(DNC)	DNC	364
96	505	9126	Tim BIRD	Mike PRIDDLE	Burton SC	(BFD)	40	DNC	DNC	DNC	370
97	Laser 3000	3390	Amy COOKE	James DAVIES	Shropshire SC	91	86	83	(DNC)	DNC	370
98	Contender	2373	Gareth LINCOLN		Draycote Water SC	77	93	(DNF)	DNC	DNC	390
99	Supernova	1083	Serena STEWARDSON		Emberton Park SC	89	91	(DNF)	DNC	DNC	400
100	420	54418	Zach AZIZ	William MAWBY‑GROOM	Draycote Water SC	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	440
100	Albacore	8237	Matthew METCALFE‑SMITH	Natalie SMITH	Ogston SC	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	440
100	Phantom	1496	Rob COOK		Northampton SC	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	440
100	Hadron H2	145	Richard LEFTLEY		Bowmoor SC	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	440
100	RS400	1532	Steve NORBURY	Andy HILL	WARSASH SC	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	440
100	RS600	810	Jake WILLARS		Notts County SC	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	440
100	Javelin	580	Eddy REID	Neil REID	Glossop SC	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	440
100	ILCA 7 / Laser	211414	Rob HUNT		Draycote Water SC	(DNF)	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	440
100	ILCA 4 / Laser 4.7	185306	Jemima RYLES		Wimbleball SC	(DNF)	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	440
100	ILCA 6 / Laser Radial	211145	Lewis BACON		Leigh and Lowton SC	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	440