Icicle Series at Highcliffe Sailing Club - Day 1

Day 1 of the Icicle Series at Highcliffe © Sarah Desjonqueres

Day 1 of the Icicle Series at Highcliffe © Sarah Desjonqueres

Day 1 of the Icicle Series at Highcliffe © Sarah Desjonqueres

Highcliffe Sailing Club Icicle series off to a flying start

After recent torrential rain and gale force winds, a band of hardy sailors showed up in Christchurch harbour for the first 2 races of this year's Highcliffe Sailing Club Icicle Series.

Under a bright, wintery sky and a perfect F4-5 South Westerly, 24 boats of various classes including RS200, Finn, Laser, Radials, 4.7s, Comet, Solo, RS Feva and a Scow representing 6 different local sailing clubs lined up for a 10.30 start.

It was the visitors who stole the march up the first beat with Vlax (Finn) and Grisley (Finn) and Arnell (Finn) rounding the windward mark first followed tightly behind by Team Bowen (RS200). Sailing past Christchurch Priory the fight was between the leading RS200 and the Finns. Team Bowen choosing to keep the kite flying banged the corners down the run and pipped the Finns to gybe round the mark first.

As the race progressed, the winds dropped off and over the finish line of the first race, under a calm F2-3, passed a succession of 5 visitors, Parkstone's Team Bowen (RS200), followed by Keyhavens' Grisely and Vlax, Chirstchurch's Arnell, Keyhaven's Steel (Finn) and Spinnaker's May (Laser).

Between races, the wind backed slightly and with that picked up again handsomely to give our sailors a F4-5 to play with. Race 2 saw the fleet beat more closely together across the middle of the harbour.

With a tight pack of boats arriving at the same time, the windward mark was closely contested with many shouts for 'water' and was rounded first by Arnell with the Bowens in hot pursuit. Seconds behind them were the Radials of Phelps and Reid which managed to leave the Finns of Grisely and Steel and Waite's Solo in their wake.

The second round saw the Bowens' RS200 lead the way, with May's Laser up amongst the lead boats and some interesting gusts to help them fly down the reaches. Despite their daggerboard popping up under full kite and nearly sending them swimming, Hughes/Bowen (RS200) found themselves bearing down on the finish line side by side with May, who just managed to squeak over the line ahead.

Race 2 was however, the race of the Laser. After correction, Mudeford's Reid in his Radial took the honours, May securing 2nd followed by Christchurch's Acton (Laser 4.7), Highcliffe's Phelps (Radial) and Scott-Dalgleish (Radial) and Chirstchurch's Arnell (Finn).

With 2 races of 8 in the series complete, the leader board sees Stuart and Jade Bowen RS200 at the top, Peter May's Laser 2nd and Tim Reid's Radial 3rd. The next races will be held on 24th January, 7th February and 21st February.

Highcliffe Sailing club always welcomes new members and visitors and offers harbour and sea racing all year round. Further details can be found on www.highcliffesailing.co.uk or find us on Facebook.

Day 1 results: