CSSC & CSSA Dinghy Championship at Netley Cliff Sailing Club

CSSC & CSSA Dinghy Championships © Eddie Pope

This year’s championships at Netley Cliff SC attracted a total of 23 entries from 6 clubs. Although numbers were down on last year, the competition was very strong including previous champions and the event enjoyed warm winds and sunshine.

Classes ranged from RS 400 through to Topper, making for interesting sailing and care needed in compiling results.

The camping field at nearby Netley SC was again popular.

Saturday morning’s winds were light and unsettled in direction to begin with. But after a short postponement Dave Beer the Race Officer set the fleet off without mishap. A close battle ensued at the front, and on handicap Martin Hughes (Finn – Warsash SC) won. He was followed by Paul & Julie Rayson (Merlin Rocket – Fishers Green SC) then the junior Nick Pepper (Laser – Littleton SC) who had an excellent start. The breeze strengthened and stabilised over lunch, allowing Dave to set one of his bigger courses for the afternoon races.

In the second race Martin Hughes maintained his form to prevail. Paul & Julie were again 2nd, and Peter Jones (Blaze – Felpham SC) came 3rd. These 3 did not get things all their own way at the front however, because good bursts of speed were also shown by Jon Steward & Nick Yannakayorgas (Merlin Rocket – Fishers Green SC) and Liz & Roger Pescod (Tasar – Littleton SC). In the third race Paul & Julie “rocketed” away to take the win, followed by Martin and Peter, then Jon and Liz tied for 4th. So after day one Martin was leading the event.

In the evening we were treated to a tasty hog roast and a talented band at the club, with a lovely sunset on the horizon.

Sunday dawned with less wind, but by the time of the first race it had settled to a decent breeze. Martin Hughes was again in dominant form and won, so was now clear favourite to take the overall prize. However, Paul & Julie were not far behind on handicap and were followed by Peter. There was a big windshift just after the start of the next race, and Martin was on the wrong side of it. He did not fully recover and came 4th, behind Paul & Julie, Peter and Jon & Nick. So things were very close going into the last race, which proved to be packed with incidents. Martin returned after a premature start, and Paul & Julie had to do turns after a rules infringement. It was very close on the water, and the results required careful checking. After a slight delay Paul & Julie were declared winners, which meant they were overall champions. Martin was third in the final race, putting him just 1 point behind Paul & Julie. Peter showed good and consistent form to come 2nd in the final race.

Prize Winners:

1st (Seal Cup) Paul & Julie Rayson – Merlin Rocket (Fishers Green SC)
2nd (CSSC Rose Bowl) Martin Hughes – Finn (Warsash SC)
3rd Peter Jones – Blaze (Felpham SC)
4th Jon Steward & Nick Yannakayorgos, Merlin Rocket (FGSC)
5th Liz & Roger Pescod – Tasar (Littleton SC)
6th Nick Pepper – Laser (Littleton SC)
1st Youth Nick Pepper – Laser, Littleton SC)

1st Biggest Fleet (Enterprise Bowl) Nick Pepper – Laser (Littleton SC)
1st Department (Portcullis Trophy) OFSTED
Team prize (Littleton Bell) Littleton SC