505 Southern Championships at Hayling Island Sailing Club

Roger Gilbert and Ian Mitchell - 505 Southern Championships at Hayling Island © Sarah Mitchell

Eleven 505s joined the burgeoning Hayling 505 fleet for a weekend forecast to have glorious weather. The Southerns were part of a joint event with Fireballs, Contenders and Ospreys, making for a very busy start area.

On Saturday we launched in a brisk SE 11-14 knots which stayed with us for the first race. A tight battle up the first beat saw Roger Gilbert and Ian Mitchell lead around followed by Duncan Barr/ Scott Dawson and Michael Simms/Carl Gibbon. A surprise appearance of "Pinkie" (us) in fourth, the oldest boat in the fleet, was short lived as the occupants' showed their rustiness in 505 racing! The leading boat continued to the line, followed by Sims/Gibbon.

Race 2 started in about 10/11 knots but faded a little. Again Gilbert/Mitchell won, with Barr/Dawson second.

Race three became the 8/9 knot unsympathetic crew knee busting torture upwind - certainly for the older crews! Nevertheless, a tight race ensued with the whole fleet together, no stragglers. Gilbert/Mitchell won, with Tewkesbury's Charlie and Owen second, Barr/Dawson third. The breeze stayed with us to take us home through the shoreline gap in the famous Hayling Bar, to lead us back to the infamous Hayling Bar - and excellent curry.

Stephen Graham and Tim Hartley - 505 Southern Championships at Hayling Island - photo © Sarah Mitchell

Lighter winds were forecast for Sunday and this proved accurate with much tighter racing as a result. Gareth Caldwell and Tyler Harmsworth appeared to favour these conditions as they battled with leaders Sims/Gibbon and Barr/Dawson. In race 5, a return to form for Gilbert/Mitchell as the crossed first followed by Sims/Gibbon with chandler/ Mills taking third. In the final race an over enthusiastic start by Gilbert and Mitchell meant they were OCS.

This opened the door for a new winner as Barr/Dawson took the line, followed by sims/Gibbon and another third for Caldwell/ Harmsworth.

This wrapped up six very tight races in a light to moderate shifty breeze. The HISC race team provided excellent racing, turning each race around swiftly. With blues skies and sunshine all weekend the competitors seemed to have had a great time both on and off the water.

The 505s next event is leg 2 of their EuroCup at Lake Garda at the end of May.

Mike Sims and Carl Gibbon - 505 Southern Championships at Hayling Island - photo © Sarah Mitchell

Overall Results:

505 Southern Championships at Hayling Island - photo © Sarah Mitchell