photograph Clare Blevins
News
Monday May 14th
This X racing stuff is never dull! On Saturday morning a good size fleet flexed its muscles on the first of this season's Griffith Cup races in a gentle northerly. Colin McKinnon sailed Chartreuse into 1st slot ahead of Lass and Phoenix. Nothing unusual in that you may say but in the afternoon Matson Trophy race the wind went right around the compass - with the northerly becoming a southerly - and caught many competitors out including Chartreuse who was looking good for Saturday double. Lass took line honours with Drover and Onyx taking their first podium places of the season - well done William Morrison and Roger Cath respectively.
Sunday's weather gods gave us cracking conditions - a rising so'southwesterly with a sparkling sea under blue skies. It was Leuw Cup day - a traditional test of navigation outside the harbour. And a test it became for some! From the start Lass (John Tremlett helming) went off the line like a scalded cat followed by Falconet (Peter Lawrence on the stick with owner Alan Perry navigating). The two were comfortably in the lead by Horse Tail. The following group were a much closer bunch - Xanadu, LizWhizz, Thora, Felix and Terrapin in that order. The leaders had trouble finding WE (or was it Bay?) - well it is rather small! So the fleet closed up. The following pack had swapped places - it was now Terrapin, Felix, Thora, LizzWhizz and Xanadu. The two leaders set off for Hard in opposite directions - neither of them right leaving the rest to fight it out. At Hard Felix had held on to her lead over Thora although the gap had narrowed to a couple of boat lengths due to an uncharacteristic over-stand by Peter Taylor. Thora almost immediately edged ahead of Felix on the final run to the finish at Chi as the result of Ted Roose's smart gibe. The two were neck and neck to the line, boats by now surfing on the freshening breeze. On the line it was Thora who took the gun by less than half a boat's length after two hours racing.
Tuesday May 8th
Felix Bowl Series
In spite of the inclement weather there was an excellent turnout of 23 boats for this series. Four of the five races were run mostly in a brisk wet wind from the cold East quarter, the exception being Sunday afternoon when the breeze all but deserted us to leave the fleet at the mercy of a strong ebb tide.
When the wind was up the challenge for the leaders was to hold off Lass. Felix and Perdix did their best on Saturday morning but had to settle for second best. Perdix then gave up a 3rd place when she retired realising she had failed to keep north of Copyhold when N was displayed in the course. On Saturday afternoon Thora took up the challenge and as result of a cracking start against the strong ebb, held first slot for two legs until she was overhauled by the rampaging John Tremlett driving Lass. On Sunday morning it was Thora who again took up the mantle of challenger, but again had to settle for a close 2nd. Sunday afternoon was a different kettle of fish for the competitors - the morning's brisk wind all but died to leave the fleet struggling to cross the start line. The boats that succeeded took the top slots with Ilex in prime position. Well done Barry Field - a first race win in 46 years he told all that would listen as he celebrated at the bar. Lass, and Falconet in the hands of Captain's Cup winner Peter Lawrence, failed to finish demonstrating a degree of fallibility that will give hope to the rest of the fleet
A more steady breeze returned for the last race on Sunday morning with the wind direction veering to the South East. As the fleet enjoyed a tour of the harbour it was Lass who eventually overhauled the early leaders Perdix and Relaxation.
Perdix's 2nd place in the final race was enough to give her 2nd place in the series as she finished on the same points and counting results as Thora - an interesting exercise for the scorer. (See RRS Appendix A 8.1 and 8.2)
With four firsts from five races Lass of course was the winner of the Felix Bowl.
For full results see Results - Felix Bowl
Special thanks to Neil and Ross Hart, and Mark Palmer who did excellent jobs as race officers on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
Friday May 4th
RMYC Challenge Cup
Chris writes:
The
Royal Motor Yacht Club Challenge Cup is the XOD Class Inter-Divisional trophy
that is allocated to Itchenor this year. It’s a really large silver trophy,
standing 18” or 47cm high, that would be really worth winning – see photo
attached! The winner of the trophy will be announced at Points Week and awarded
at the XOD AGM in November.
I have decided that it should be awarded to the Stocker or Pilsey boat with the best combined results in the Felix Bowl (5-7 May), the Hutcheson (2-4 June) and Points Week (18-22 June) excluding the winners of the Treloar Trophy and the Pilsey Pint.
The winner will be announced at the Points Week prize giving and the trophy awarded at the X Class AGM in November.
For details of the scoring and rules click
Saturday April 28th
Our fleet ventured out into a rising NNE force 4 - all that was missing was the sun to make it a perfect afternoon. Great fun was had by all including Chris Blevins who was PRO.
At the front of the fleet Lass, Chartreuse and Relaxation contested the number one slot in the early stages of the race. Chartreuse held off Lass until about the half way point when she failed to cover and Lass was away. As the wind increased the light weight crew on Relaxation began to lose touch and was eventually caught by Thora who was recovering from a poor start. These four boats were well clear of the rest of the fleet by the finish.
However, throughout the fleet there was much place changing with the closest finish being for 5th place as Madame X just pipped Terrapin on the line.
As there was no race on Sunday, the April Fools Mug series was concluded with Lass taking the trophy. The minor places were 2nd Thora, 3rd Chartreuse and 4th Falconet, all with a point of each other. Falconet therefore took the Stocker fleet prize with Xanadu the top Pilsey fleet boat.
Sunday April 22nd
Chris writes:
With 25 boats now on the water it is good to see 13 in each race this weekend. Look forward to seeing those not yet afloat out soon as it is not long until Points Week on 18th June.
After a quiet race in a Swallow on Saturday morning I incurred the wrath of God in the form of a hail storm at the start of the afternoon race. Apologies for sailing in a Swallow. What a squall, which relatively quickly abated and then we were back in sunshine. The racing was challenging with the main threat being how to avoid going aground on the rapidly falling tide. The feet split round the Winner bank running back from Calvert and came back together in nearly the same order at Peacock. Lass 1st, Falconet 2nd and Thora 3rd.
Today was a perfect morning with sunshine and a good if wobbly breeze with challenging beats to SW Pilsey with again lots of place changing (the new spinnakers do make a difference). Sweet X 1st, Chartreuse 2nd and Lass 3rd. Good to see Mark Palmer and Tony Probert making their 1st appearances of the season.
Sunday April 15th
Another excellent weekends racing in cool Northerly breezes - light on Saturday and brisk on Sunday. Saturday saw the arrival of Lizz Whizz X172 in the hands of Dick Batt ably crewed by Pam with a guest appearance from Neil Payne, Class Captain from Yarmouth Division. The early running was made by Lass, Thora and Lizz Whizz who changed place up the first beat. Terrapin then joined these three to tussle for top spot. Places continued to change throughout the race. Lass was the ultimate victor followed by Thora and Lizz Whizz. 10 boats competed on Saturday and a similar number on Sunday.
In Sunday's race Lass established a lead early on but was kept honest throughout by Chartreuse. These two were comfortable 1st and 2nd. There was continual place changing for the next three places. Thora looked comfortable in 3rd spot on the final beat until she went aground and let Falconet, helmed by Peter Lawrence, and Relaxation through.
Sunday April 1st
Saturday was overcast with a reasonably steady Northerly 3-4. Eight boats started including Foxglove 174 who joined the race at the end of their passage from Yarmouth - welcome to Rick Neall. Also William Morrison and his crew in Drover 154 were challenging Terrapin for 3rd place when they left out the last mark as they did not have a chart. Welcome to all in 154. Thora came 2nd to Relaxation who maintain that the new spinnaker does not make any difference but they would like to keep it all season!
Today 6 starters, awful day for Beaver, weak NE turned in to a sea breeze. Chartreuse lead at the 1st mark after a lot of place changing. Lass lead after 3rd mark and after a very light return to windward the race was stopped at the 4th mark where Terrapin managed to win ahead of Lass followed by Chartreuse.
Hope to report more boats out next week including Falconet and Thalia. Good to see Liz and Phil Chowienczyk doing Support Boat duty.
Dick Batt has added a 4th new shaped spinnaker to the trial set, thanks. Dick is hoping to get his new boat here in the next couple of weeks.
Sunday March 25th
The season has started well - you can not ask for more than sunny days, a decent breeze, good company and competition. The breeze was from the E, NE and SE with all the fickleness that that entails.
With 7 boats afloat we had 6 out on Saturday and 5 on Sunday. Carolyn very kindly agreed to run 2 short races for us on Saturday - Relaxation won to Chartreuse's 2nd in the first race and Lass won to Chartreuse's 2nd in the second race. Sunday Beaver was 2nd to Lass's 1st in light winds that meant Chris felt a little disadvantaged sailing 3 up, but given the quality of his novice crew Gavin coupled with the experience of William they had fun chasing Lass up the Gallon Reach. Thanks to all who had their boats in for the 1st races of the summer. It was great to see Thora, Terrapin and Xanadu all out.
We have a new shaped spinnakers to trial and critique (one each from North, Sanders and Hyde, a 4th is due from Dick Batt) with a view to its adoption at the AGM in the Autumn. Initial reaction is that they look good, fly better and do not seem to be any faster. We have them for the early part of the season so do not forget to ask to trial them when you are afloat.
Next week will be more of a challenge as more boats will be on the water.
March 21st
As at today there are 6 boats on their moorings so there should be an XOD start on Saturday afternoon. Well done to those who are afloat.
For this season we are experimenting with an earlier Sat pm start time of 1430. Please note the handbook.
February 2012
Chris writes:
We have an exciting season in store so I thought I would bring you all up to date with some developments over the winter, though there may some that I am not aware of!
We have three new boats joining our fleet and a couple being more actively raced. Al Ashford and Rick Neall have bought X174, Dick and Pam Batt have bought X172 and Stu Haill has bought X75. Ian and Julie Andrew have bought X78, Tim and Nikki Cath and Roger Cath have bought X189 and David Raggett in X62 is now able to look at being more active. So welcome to all the new faces. Xcitation X50 is resting as a boat this year so Jeremy Lear, John Tremlett and Steve Spraggs are joining forces with Richard Jordan and Richard (Bully) Bullock in Lass X80 - so a strong team there.
You might be interested to know that Haines Boatyard have decided to put Annabel X111 on a mooring as she is for sale so that she can be used/chartered by interested parties during the season.
I have reviewed last season's results and decided on the fleet allocations for the 2012 season which are shown in the table - Click
This gives us three highly competitive fleets with plenty of room for moving up or down next year. This is especially pertinent when you consider that Xs 62, 75, 78, 111, 172, 174 and 189 are not allocated to a fleet for this season.
That makes 40 boats being actively raced this season, Great News.
Skittles is taking place at the Gribble on Fri 16th March and a good contingent is in booked already, so contact Barry Field (email) to secure your place for this highly competitive and fun event.
Today's brilliant sunshine and light breeze might inspire you to join a club working party on Sat 3rd March particularly as your work is reward by lunch and a drink. Contact the club if you would like to help and show your practical prowess. All help much appreciated.
Jack Bethell
It is with great regret that I have to inform you that Jack Bethell, died in a nursing home at Fontwell last Sunday morning, February 19th aged 83.
Jack was a retired B.A. engineer and enjoyed his sailing. He raced at Itchenor in X26 from the early '80's and then X16 until the early '90's, he was a competitive and contentious helmsman and was a most colourful and likeable character. He was captain of X class at Itchenor in 1986/87 and he set up and ran Arun Sails for some years.
Jack's funeral is on Thursday March 1st at Chichester Crematorium - at 1.30pm.
Way Ahead Group
Bill Barnes has been nominated and has accepted to be the Itchenor representative and participate on The Way Ahead working group.
This august group includes: Mark Hall - Chairman, William Norris - CC, Jeremy
Field - Cowes, John Harding - Hamble, Ado Jardine - Lymington, Hugh Deavin -
Parkstone, Nick Dorley-Brown - Yarmouth.
In order to have a rounded perspective Bill asks members to provide him with any
objective input on specific matter you might have on a
relevant subject.
This is not a request from him seeking major submissions, just a few lines will
help him with this task.
