Itchenor Sailing Club XODs race to Bembridge
by David Priscott 18 Jul 2012 12:43 BST
15 July 2012
Itchenor Sailing Club XOD's race to Bembridge © Mike Samuelson
A dozen Itchenor Xs set forth early Sunday morning from a Chichester Harbour start on the recently inaugurated race to Bembridge for the Bembridge Sailing Club 125th Anniversary Canvas. First run last year the intention is to make this anannual event.
Winds were generally light and variable in both speed and direction so all crews are to be congratulated in making the finish line off Bembridge Harbour. In these conditions Chris Blevin's course proved a challenge and the first boats crossed the line after some 4 hours of racing.
There were close tussles through the fleet. Foxglove helmed by Rick Neall led the fleet for all but the last few minutes of the race when she was finally overhauled by Phoenix sailed by Alastair Shaw, Chris Froy and Liz Powell.
Ted Roose's Thora was over the line at the start and had to restart and therefore trailed the fleet out of Chichester Harbour. An early tack into Hayling Bay chasing the stronger wind proved decisive for Thora as she overtook most of the fleet and moved up to 5th place. Sailing free she showed a good turn of speed to eventually take 3rd place six minutes ahead of the next finisher but was unable to catch the leaders.
There was a close finish for 5th place where Barry Field's Ilex held off Vixen helmed by Nick Davison by 5 seconds. X192 Felix (Peter Taylor) just pipped Chris Blevin's X152 Beaver by two seconds for 7th place.
Overall Results: (top three)
1st Phoenix - Alastair Shaw, Chris Froy
2nd Foxglove - Rick Neall
3rd Thora - Ted Roose, David Priscott, Emily Heath