Lockdown over - wind just right... Dell Quay sailors can race at last

With one weekend’s racing at Dell Quay Sailing Club cancelled because of wind strength, last weekend brought the first two club races since lockdown.
By Staff reporter
Published 16th Jul 2020, 09:00 BST
They're racing again at Dell QuayThey're racing again at Dell Quay
They're racing again at Dell Quay

A lot of hard work and organisation has been put in by the sailing committee to ensure racing went ahead while being safe, fun and competitive.

Saturday was a continuation of the Breakfast Breeze series, with the sun shining and a decent if somewhat fluky eight to 12 knots of wind from the south west, conditions did not disappoint.

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Race officer Will Parrett set a fantastic course taking in five marks over four laps starting with a long upwind beat from Quay to Copperas West, leaving competitors with the tactical choice of staying close to shore or trying to find more wind and face the tide mid-channel.

Happy to be heading out on to the waterHappy to be heading out on to the water
Happy to be heading out on to the water

With 11 boats starting, racing was tight. Bill Dawber, Mark Harper and Stephen Holcroft in the Solos battled for first place with the lead changing hands several times over the course of the race. In the end Dawber narrowly took the win by a two-second margin with Harper in second, Holcroft third and Sue Manning (Laser 4.7) fourth.

Sunday brought the third race in the Longmore series, and good weather allowed race officer Bill Dawber to set a challenging and enjoyable course over three laps.

With the seven entries comprising four Fireflys and three Solos, racing was always going to be close. The Solos of Harper and Holcroft eventually pulled away and enjoyed a close battle with Holcroft going into the final lap in the lead only for Harper to overtake and take the win. After application of handicaps it was Harper first, Harvey Hillary (Firefly) second, Holcroft third, Will and Rory Parrett (Firefly) fourth.

Rowan and Hugo Marchant-Williams (Firefly) completed their first race together.

For more about Dell Quay Sailing Club visit www.dellquaysc.co.uk