RS300, Europe and OK open meeting at Stokes Bay Sailing Club

RS300, Europe and OK open meeting at Stokes Bay © Emma Pearson

The jewel in the crown of the open meeting calendar

Campers began their arrival on Friday afternoon, making use of the back field and the Friday bar opening. This was the third time the open had been in the calendar, with the first two attempts cancelled with Covid, fuel crisis and or storms so both the club and competitors were keen to make the most of it!

Saturday's morning chorus as brought to you by the local Alverstoke avian choir made sure that no one overslept and that smiley Jo in the galley had a good breakfast run. The feather flags were up and the boat started to line the beach as the sun came out to away any muggy-morning cloud.

RS300, Europe and OK open meeting at Stokes Bay - photo © Emma Pearson

With local and legendary sage Derek as Race officer, three races for all fleets got away in a light south-westerly breeze, building to a medium wind by the third race. Race 2 was a little short as the aircraft carrier had to be towed in, leading to the tide having swung by race 3. There was no O-Flag just yet for the Europes (although it was hotly debated that it could come out) and the waves up in the Gilkicker/Darling Associates area of the racecourse did put in for some exciting surfing.

On our return to the shore with some very achy legs, local club members assisted with trollies and the beach mats to aid the haul up the shingle. At the tally-off point, drinks were available for each competitor which was a lovely relaxing touch to a fabulous bay-day.

RS300, Europe and OK open meeting at Stokes Bay - photo © Emma Pearson

Saturday dinner was Jo's Chilli with Sour Cream which was to-die-for! Even if there were no social, I would have had to sit for a good half hour for being so full! The evening activity was RS300 sailor Pete's "Intra-Fleet Games" - a hybrid of devilish pub quiz questions and a few party-game type challenges that we best tackled with much gusto... To the nearest baguette, how long is an aircraft carrier, again?

RS300, Europe and OK open meeting at Stokes Bay - photo © Emma Pearson

Sunday started off breezy and unusually grey for Stokes Bay. Another three races completed in expert timing and control from our race team. Cheryl in the RS300 pulled off some sterling port flyers and the Europes enjoyed the O-Flag, allowing pumping downwind in the playful Solent chop. The OKs looking like magnificent machines as the munched up the course, ducking and diving in their close racing.

Ashore, packing up the sunshine was no hardship in such a lovely location. The prize-giving was held on the lawn in glorious sunshine with prizes kindly sponsored by Rooster.

The club have loved hosting this event and hope to see all competitors and their families return for next year... if not before, for a cheeky winter membership.

RS300, Europe and OK open meeting at Stokes Bay - photo © Emma Pearson

Europe Results:

OK Results:

RS300 Results:

RS300, Europe and OK open meeting at Stokes Bay - photo © Emma Pearson