Cowes Dinghy Week at Gurnard Sailing Club

Cowes Dinghy Week 2003 hits new record

This annual dinghy sailing fest in Gurnard Bay, Isle of Wight, was originally spun off from Cowes Week proper in the the 1960s and was greatly assisted this year by sponsor Kings Volvo. Organised since then by Gurnard Sailing Club, the event has enjoyed steady organic growth due to hard work and spirited organisation by the club, and this year topped 200 entries for the first time.

The weather throughout from 27 July to 1 August could be described as testing, with only 1 day below F4 over an ebbing tide. This scenario gave high speeds, a good few capsizes and retirements but big grins by Friday afternoon after 6 days of eventful racing.

In the mornings, Sheila Caws organised the 40 juniors in their Handicap and Optimist groups, with the overall winners Pitcher / Munro and Jim McMillan just shading the competition after close racing.

The one race per day for the big boys in the afternoons was divided into 9 groups, with class racing for Dart 15, RS400, RS200, Laser, Laser 4.7 and Pico Race.

PRO Brian Cole set big courses on day 1 but was forced to keep fleets closer to the island shore by the conditions thereafter.

After a retirement in torrid conditions on day 1, Robin Leather dominated the Dart 15s and left the real scrap for second place between old rivals Laurie Gustar and Carl Blenkinsop who were separated by a single point by Friday.

Commodore Paul Airey sustained collision damage one day, followed by a broken shroud the next, and reluctantly concluded that it was not his week and put all his efforts into the karaoke night. The fast group produced a right ding dong between 2 Contenders, a Dart 18 and an ISO for first spot. Mark Robinson finished all races without a win but scored consistently to come through by a bare couple of points, demonstrating the well-known adage about series racing.

Keen Laser sailor Trevor Scovell showed his class in scoring a row of bullets, as did the well-practiced combination of Paul Bowen and Shaun Kellett in the RS400s.

The fleet of visiting Laser 4.7s fell to Andrew Talbot, another Mr. Consistent who failed to win a race yet took the series.

The RS200 class was loaded with talent as Shirley Robertson, Jo Richards and Pete Newlands came out to play. Jo Richards prevailed after a doubtful start, and Rob Procter crewed by Laura Newnham enjoyed the windy weather to make third spot.

After the first day, the medium group turned into a 2 horse race between a 420 and a Europe, with the Rowlandsons getting the better of Ian Stow (Weston SC) by 3 points after discard.

Long-time Mirror sailors Paul and Jenny Schofield squeezed home in front of the Thorns’ Mirror by a single point, with all depending on the final race in their group.

After a cracking weeks sailing, due acknowledgement was made of the efforts of the all-volunteer teams in race box, bar, kitchen and rescue boats that drive this most enjoyable event.

The prizes were presented by one Ben Ainslie, who departed the club with best wishes for Athens from one and all.

Overall Results:

Morning Handicap:
1 T. Pitcher / R. Munro (Feva)
2 L. Noakes (Pico)
3 P. Baisch (Pico)
Optimist:
1 Jim McMillan (YSC)
2 Fergal Finlay (BHYC)
3 K. Grant (RVYC)
Dart 15:
1 Robin Leather
2 Laurie Gustar
3 CXarl Blenkinsop
Fast:
1 Mark Robinson (Contender)
2 Barry Byham / John Hayden (ISO)
3 D. Wright / I. Field (Dart 18, YSC)
Medium:
1 Rowlandsons (420)
2 Ian Stow (Europe WSC)
3 Chris Gillies (Blaze)
Slow:
1 P& J Schofield (Mirror)
2 C & J Thorn (Mirror)
3 S. Caws (Pico)
Laser:
1 T. Scovell
2 D. Sayle (PSC)
3 J. Jackson (HISC)
Laser 4.7:
1 A Talbot
2 R. Stainer
3 E. Simonds (RVYC)
Pico Race:
1 H. Thorpe
2 E. Barker (YSC)
3 B. Johnson
RS400:
1 P. Bowen / S. Kellett
2 Mike Acton / J. Olden
3 G. Deegan / J. Morgan
RS200:
1 J. Richards / S. Johnson
2 P. Newlands / L. Deegan
3 R. Procter / L. Newnham