Swordfish Open at Hornsea Sailing Club

Swordfish from Hornsea and West Riding Sailing Clubs met to compete on Hornsea Mere over the weekend of the 18th–19th September.

Saturday’s wind was a gusty Force 5. 155, Andy Gilding and Paul Ellwood established an early lead followed by 216, Alan and Helen Beecham and 215, Jim Holmes and Andy Earle, these positions being held to the finish. Race two saw a similar pattern develop in the tricky conditions with 172, Bill Gardner and Malcolm McDonald coming in third.

Sunday also had a force 5 blowing but with much stiffer gusts! In the 3rd race 155 and 211, Phil Allen and Brian Ruston established a big lead but on the very fast spinnaker leg down the full length of the mere 155 capsized and 211’s rudder broke. Despite a spectacular capsize on the last wild spinnaker leg 216 managed to right the boat quickly to win from 172 with 155 and 215 behind. Race 4 saw 216 take a port flyer to take the early lead but 211 and 155 were at the front by the windward mark. These positions being held to the finish. A thankfully shorter final race was won by 155 to clinch the series.

Overall Results:

1st 155 Andy Gilding & Paul Ellwood, Hornsea Sailing Club, 5pts
2nd Alan & Helen Beecham, West Riding Sailing Club, 8pts
3rd 172 Bill Gardner & Macolm McDonald, W.R.S.C., 12pts
4th 211 Phil Allen & Brian Ruston, H.S.C., 15pts
5th 215, Jim Holmes and Andy Earle, H.S.C., 19pts