M.J. Quinn UK Firefighters Sailing Challenge

In the 9th consecutive running of this event and the last to be organised by serving and ex members of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, there were 27 entries. With 20 fire service entries, 4 police forces, 2 ambulance entries and the title sponsor MJ Quinn the 2012 UK Firefighters Sailing Challenge was truly a 999 community event. The weather was much less kind to us this year, with wind in excess of 25 knots on day one that increased to gusts of 40+ knots by day two. Prudently, but with regret, the race officer cancelled racing on the second day due to the wind conditions. This is the first year that the regatta has lost a day due to weather conditions.

On day one, despite a midday start for the first race, 3 races were completed with one third of the fleet bravely opting to use spinnakers despite the gusty conditions. The usual suspects were at the top of the leader board sharing the honours with some very close racing. The committee boat was not too happy about one boat inviting themselves for tea during pre-start manoeuvres with both of them suffering damage.

Hampshire One had a great start in race one and was showing the fleet the way around the course until the second mark when they decided to follow a different course to the rest. By the time they realised their mistake and take corrective action the best they could achieve was a disappointed 11th and that would see them losing the overall event trophy they won last year.

Henry Scutt and his crew from Warwickshire Police, who only participated in day one of UKFSC 2012, took the honours for race two of the day. They were chased hard by Roger Glass (Met Police) and Dave Sharman (London Fire 1) who took second and third places respectively.

The final race of the day, which finished near our overnight stop in Cowes, saw Dave Sharman (London 1), Mick Stead (Hampshire Fire 1) and Steve Bishop (Hertfordshire Fire) contest the leading places. Dave and Mick regularly duel for the honours so it was not a surprise to see them finish in first and second places respectively. Steve Bishop valiantly achieved a rewarding third place.

Many of the crew members in the event are either novice sailors or novice racers and all skippers are encouraged to bring new people sailing to give them the experience of our sport. A trophy is presented for ‘white sail' yachts only to enable their skills to be developed safely. It was pleasing to note that a few of the early novices are now skippering their own boats in the event.

To give even the most novice of crews a chance of winning something from the event the fleet is split, at the end of day one, into 3 classes dependant on their finishing position, the lead boat in each of these 3 classes then win a class trophy following the results of day 2 races.

Our evening ashore comprised of an excellent two course meal at the Events Centre at Cowes Yacht Haven and manager Ian Gregory and his staff ensured that our comfort and culinary needs were well met. There was much hand waving as races and close calls were re-enacted between crews, mostly accompanied by a lot of laughter. Christie Prentice-Harrison, an Essex singer, provided entertainment for the evening and drew much applause from the gathering crews.

Competitors retired to their yachts after the evening's entertainment and settled down for the night in readiness for the next days racing. It was clear throughout the night however that the wind was increasing considerably and was accompanied by heavy rain fall. It was little surprise to anyone that the outcome of the skippers briefing the following day resulted in day two racing being cancelled. Crews chose many differing activities to wile away their wait in the marina and some even chose during calmer periods later in the day to venture out into the Solent and test the level of main sail reefing that would be required the following day.

The M.J. Quinn Gala evening meal was again held in the Cowes Yacht Haven and it was an emotional second evening when the Hampshire committee chairman passed over the organisation of the regatta to the London Fire and Rescue Service committee. Given the lack of racing on day two it was announced the presentation of the Class Trophies would be held over until the events closing ceremony. On the charity front the gala Evening saw £1285 raised by the raffle and a further £1765 gained from an auction of four magnificent prizes donated to the M.J. Quinn UKFSC 2012. The evening closed with the band The Kicks.

Day three found the winds only slightly moderated but coming from the South so that racing could take place in the lee of the Isle of Wight. Conditions were however testing so the race officer set a long line and started boats off on a beam reach to reduce the chance of broaching and the inevitable close quarter positioning at the start. A sail plan of no spinnakers was also ordered.

Honours were even between the overall winner and second place with boats sharing the first and second places on the 2 races held, the third race being abandoned as the wind became constant above 30 knots.

One crew member on West Yorkshire 2 broke his shoulder and lost several teeth between races when the mainsheet became wrapped around the wheel and control of the yacht was lost for a period. Despite the Coastguard helicopter offering their assistance the crew returned to Cowes where they were met by an ambulance. After a short visit to the hospital the casualty was able to return to the mainland by ferry where he met with his crew for the journey home.

Overall Results:

Event Winner – Peter Crowther (West Yorkshire)
2nd Fire Service – Mick Stead (Hampshire 1)
3rd Fire Service – Dave Sharman (London 1)
1st Non Fire Service – Met. Police – Roger Glass
1st White Sails – Steve Bishop (Hertfordshire Fire)
Sponsors Trophy –– Dave Redman (MJ Quinn)

Class Trophies were also awarded to:
Peter Crowther (West Yorkshire)
David Redman (MJ Quinn)
Carl Penney (London Ambulance)