June

Mid-season supper - "Punch up on the balcony"

The Mid Season Supper on June 27th will have a Caribbean theme, with a nice relaxed atmosphere.

Dress is 'casually Caribbean', so dig out that bad shirt you bought in Barbados!

We will be serving rum punch from 1900, and also our new balcony will have just been be opened, hence the headline 'A Punch up on the Balcony.'

For a change, we will be presenting the early season prizes at 1945, so you have a choice of just coming along for rum punch, if you like.

Prizes are going to Chartreuse, Felix, Perdix, Relaxation, Onyx, Amber and Xanadu as well as the Joan Shaw series winners on that day.

At 2000 will be serving a 3 course meal in the buttery - numbers are limited, so book soon.

Leuw Cup

In its first foray out of harbour this season the Itchenor fleet was treated to bright sun and fair winds.  As can always be expected with the wind from the north east, the breeze came and went and shifted.  Racing was close with all the Xs finishing within a few minutes after two and a quarter hours.  At the windward mark Thora, helmed by David Priscott in Ted Roose's absence on the Help for Heroes bike ride to Paris, led squeezing ahead of Chartreuse.  Peter Taylor's Felix drew ahead of Thora by the leeward mark - Dean Elbow, but by only a boat's length with rest of the fleet close behind.  The race was decided on the beat back to Chi and the course taken critical.  Thora went inshore to catch the expected breeze close to land as other boats stayed out in the stronger tide.  As it turned out the middle course was best as demonstrated by race winners Tina Scott and John Long Relaxation and second placed Tom Tait in Xtravagance celebrating his 88th birthday.  Thora was third.

May

The early May Bank Holiday series was dominated by Peter Taylor's Felix. Counting three 1st places from her four races Felix was top cat ahead of Gone Away, Perdix and the surprise package Xanadu - the Stocker fleet winners.  This series now has a trophy and we are delighted to report that Anne and Peter Taylor have generously donated the new Felix Bowl.  This will be presented at the Mid Season supper to ....Peter Taylor!

Felix was also a contender for the Hutcheson Trophy competed for over the late May Bank Holiday weekend.  However, despite two first places, a disappointed 10th on Sunday afternoon meant that the more consistent Perdix won the Hutcheson Cup.  Consolation for Felix is that they win the Hutcheson Cup 2.  A dogged performance by Tony Probert in Madame X was rewarded with the Stocker fleet prize.

For full results Click

David Humphrey doffs his cap aboard Perdix

(photo - David Priscott)

April

Close competition for the April Fools Mug

The Itchenor XODs emerged from their winter accommodation looking pristine with bright new varnish work.  They sparkled on the water in the bright spring sunshine.  The racing for the first trophy of the season – the April Fools Mug - was as competitive as ever with more than half of the19 boats that competed gaining a top three position in at least one of the 10 races.

The early pace was set by Mike Shaw and David Humphrey in Perdix and Tom and Carole Tait in Xtravagance who each won one of the first two races.  Then out came Chartreuse and Phoenix – Chartreuse winning races 3 and 6 and Phoenix races 4 and 5.

It was all to play for until the last race.  If Phoenix (Alastair Shaw and Chris Froy) won then they would take the series and the trophy.  As it transpired a series of uncharacteristic errors by Shaw saw Phoenix come in 8^th and the April Fools Mug was taken by last year’s winner Chartreuse – (Colin McKinnon, Neil Hart and David Foster).

Result of April Fools Mug Series

April Fools Mug winner - Chartreuse (photo - Anne Colbourne)

Stuart Jardine visit a huge success

We were delighted that sailing legend Stuart Jardine came to the club for the day to give a talk to our members.

45 keen XOD helms and crew turned out to listen to Stuart who talked about the new build project at Lymington, the proposed rigging changes and to watch his excellent PowerPoint presentation on how his winning boat Lone Star is set up.

Stuart went through every single control line on his X boat explaining how he has won the coveted Captains Cup at Cowes a record seven times. The interesting point was that his guys are still improving the way the boat is set up with constant changes to ensure that every control line is easy to operate.

Stuart makes a point during his presentation 

His talk certainly gave us a lot to think about.  I am sure many of us will be off  to change a few bits on our boats before they are all launched before Easter.  To see Stuart's presentation CLICK

Stuart also showed photos of the new build which has just been turned over following completion of the hull. The topsides will be varnished pine to show she is a made of wood like her 197 predecessors.  An old X boat keel has been found so the boat should be sailing soon and is a credit to the enthusiasm of this small group of amateur pensioners!

Stuart was given a coveted Itchenor XOD crystal wine glass as an appreciation of openly encouraging the rest of the fleet.  He shared all his secrets with us, so we have no excuse in future.

Stuart explains the experimental rigging changes

Winter skittles

Once again our skittles night at The Richmond Arms in January was great fun. The log fire and excellent curry lifted our spirits and we had three teams representing the Winner, Stocker and Pilsey fleets.

Just like on the water, the cream of the talent came to the top in the end!  The Stocker fleet were doing well at one stage, only to be overtaken by Pilsey, but in the final run to the finish it was the Winner fleet who edged a well earned victory.

The defending individual champion, Michael Shaw, proved that last winter's victory was no fluke by winning again! Well done Michael, what is your secret?

The outstanding lady player was once again Ros Hart, who this year was the only player to knock down all nine skittles with her 3 balls.

We are having a challenge match on April 3rd at The Richmond Arms again, this time against the young RS 200 fleet.

Please keep our winter training a secret. I hope all our star players can turn out to maintain our status at Itchenor as 'The Senior Fleet'!

Caption Competition:

Liz: "Is that close enough for you Ros?"