Wayfarer Open at Dell Quay Sailing Club

John Hartley & Nigel Doe win the Dell Quay Wayfarer Open © Warwick Hoddy

Wayfarers from Hayling Island and Bosham SCs challenged the home competitors in Dell Quay SC's open meeting on September 18, and there was close racing through the fleet in a light south-westerly breeze.

In the opening race John Hartley and Nigel Doe (HISC) made a perfect starboard tack start, challenged by only two boats as the remainder of the fleet had difficulty beating the strong incoming tide to cross the line. But clubmates William Ingram and Nathan Rushin overtook and were ahead by just over a minute at the finish.

Race two started in a slightly fresher breeze and Ingram and Rushin took an early lead, with Hartley and Doe close behind at the windward mark. While Ingram and Rushin stayed ahead, off the wind Julie and Andrew Rooker briefly moved into second place, but were unable to retain the position as they struggled with their spinnaker.

The final race saw the leading boats get another clean start, while three others were involved in a collision with the outer distance mark. Going to windward the fleet divided into two groups, but those tacking off the western shore took a tactical advantage, with Hartley and Doe out in front and retaining their lead unchallenged to the finish. Gerald Cheyne and David Carlisle (BSC) commanded second place throughout, though behind there was considerable place changing on the final downwind leg, with Ingram and Rushin eventually crossing the line third.

So with two first places, Hartley and Doe were overall winners with minimum points, with Ingram and Rushin second and Cheyne and Carlisle third. The Rookers, fourth overall, took the prize for best Dell Quay boat.

Overall Results:

1. John Hartley & Nigel Doe (Hayling Island SC) 2pts
2. William Ingram & Nathan Rushin (Hayling Island SC) 3pts
3. Gerald Cheyne & David Carlisle (Bosham SC) 6pts
4. Julie & Andrew Rooker (DQSC) 7pts