International Canoe Premier open meeting at Poole Yacht Club
by Perham Harding 5 Oct 2022 16:47 BST
1-2 October 2022
The view from Poole Yacht Club © Michelle Evans
The forecast had long predicted a challenging weekend, and this proved accurate for both race team and competitors!
Early arrivals took the opportunity for some practice and boat testing during the brief Friday morning weather window. Launching in a near flat calm the breeze filled in within minutes to deliver "end of seat" conditions. By afternoon the wind was F6 plus and rain blotted out the Harbour.
Saturday. Brilliant sunshine and a gusty F5 with three races scheduled. Glen Truswell and Robin Wood were the only finishers of race one, Glen getting the better start and spending less time in the water - though even he exceeded the Truswell breakfast poll as to how often he would swim.
Others retired, bruised but not broken, and the remaining planned starts were binned.
Sunday. Rain and flat calm until mid-morning. The fleet was held ashore until - brilliant timing by the Poole YC race team - just the moment the catspaws on the water began to spread. Three races were packed in despite faltering wind and in each Robin found a way past Glen, by the slimmest possible margins!
Racing in the "pack" was tight with a premium on finding the pressure without getting caught on the wrong side of the shifts.
In summary: Some memorable sailing on the Saturday and close racing on Sunday; all with the blessing of very friendly and highly competent race team, together with all supporting club staff. A great venue.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | 344 | Robin Wood | ‑2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 2 | 350 | Glen Truswell | 1 | ‑2 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| 3 | 342 | Rob Bell | (DNS) | 3 | 7 | 3 | 13 |
| 4 | 347 | Andy Gordon | (DNC) | 5 | 3 | 6 | 14 |
| 5 | 328 | Phil Robin | (DNC) | 4 | 6 | 5 | 15 |
| 6 | 338 | Steve Clarke | (DNF) | 7 | 4 | 4 | 15 |
| 7 | 348 | John Ellis | (DNC) | 9 | 5 | 7 | 21 |
| 8 | 353 | Perham Harding | (DNF) | 6 | 8 | 8 | 22 |
| 9 | 349 | Martin Robb | (DNF) | 8 | 9 | 9 | 26 |
| 10 | 310 | Steve Bowen | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | 39 |
| 10 | 333 | Tony Marston | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | 39 |
| 10 | 340 | Chris Hampe | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | 39 |