Snipe Open and South Eastern Championships 2024 at Blackwater Sailing Club

Snipe Open and South Eastern Championships at Blackwater © Zoe Nelson

Twelve Snipes came together at Blackwater Sailing Club on the River Blackwater to compete for the Southeastern Championships on the 5th and 6th October. The weather was kind with a southerly force 3 to 4 on the Saturday generated perfect conditions for the time of year. The fleet, accompanied by the Wayfarers for their open event, sailed to the open waters by Osea Island where the Race Officer had the course ready with us beating against the tide off the start line.

In Race 1, the fleet got away cleanly with a clear split up the first beat. A number of the boats opted to go left to seek less tide, perhaps in the lew of Osea Island, with the remaining going right. The different sides seem to make little difference as the fleet all rounded the windward mark in close succession. The fleet was led by Ian Gregory and Mike Ker closely followed by Peter Wolstenholme and Lloyd Roberts, who both managed to escape the main fleet during the downwind legs. A battle for 3rd to 5th was closely fought between Richard/Bonnie Marshall, Guy Marks/Sam Boniface and Mark/Tracy Antonelli. Wolstenholme/Roberts managed to pass Gregory/Ker with the race finishing in that order with Marks/Boniface taking 3rd.

In Race 2, there was big shift just before the start, making the pin end favoured and with 12 snipes all trying to get on the pin, there was simply not enough room resulting in a general recall. The fleet were better behaved on the second start, but it was still pin end biased with boats all getting away cleanly. The fleet rounded the windward mark with Antonelli/Antonelli and Wolstenholme/Roberts close together. The fleet rounded the gybe mark and set off down the second leg toward the leeward mark. What the majority of the fleet missed was the flag signals on the committee boat, with only Brian Gregory/Nayth Twigg and Richard/Bonnie Marshall noticing the signals that indicated a shortened course. The two of them fought to the finish line with Gregory/Twigg snatching first by a couple of inches. Third was taken by Eric Paalman/Patrick Sarsfield.

Snipe Open and South Eastern Championships at Blackwater - photo © Zoe Nelson

The tide had very much changed for Race 3, with a final full Triangle/Sausage Course. This meant that the fleet were pushing the line hard, with 4 boats being over the line at the start and only 3 of them returning to the line. This split the fleet with Richard and Bonnie Marshall leading the fleet round the first 2 marks. Up the second beat, the first three boats, let by Richard and Bonnie Marshall from Wolstenholme/Roberts and Iain and Callum Marshall all rounded in close proximity. The next bunch of boats was led by Marks/Boniface where Gregory/Ker were in 5th. Wolstenholme/Roberts were able to pick up on a gust and take the lead and after a good brotherly battle between Iain Marshall, crewed by his son Callum and Richard/Bonnie Marshall, Iain benefited from a gust enabling him to get on the inside as they rounded the final mark for the hook finish to take 2nd from Richard/Bonnie Marshall who ended up 3rd.

The crews came back to shore where they were met with a fully stocked bar and fish and chips for dinner. The fleets and members also had the opportunity to buy raffle tickets to help fundraise for Farleigh Hospice - an end-of-life hospice in the area. This raised over £250, which was excellent.

Due to the late tides, the sailors all had the opportunity to have an extended sleep which helped aid the recovery for some from the night before! The wind had also increased over night to force 5 to 6, which resulted in a number of the Wayfarers deciding it was too windy along with Sue and Steve Roberts in their Snipe. As the fleet arrived at the race area, a course change resulted in the Snipes completing triangles only. Race 5 got under way with a clear split again. Returning to the Snipe Fleet was Tim and Kay Tavinor in the orange boat Basil that they had built and sailed around 1999/2000. Tim and Kay were clearly enjoying the windier conditions and rounded the first two marks in first place. Wolstenholm/Roberts managed to pass them to take the win with the Tavinor's finishing in 2nd place. A mistake at the final gybe mark for Rory Cohen and Ian Rumble meant they lost out on their third place, but did complete their turns and had an excellent final reach as they tried to catch up. They closed the gap on the Antonelli's and Marks/Boniface, but ended up 6th. Gregory/Kerr had a good final reach and held on to 3rd.

Race 5 saw 3 more boats return to shore for various reasons leaving only 8 remaining. The wind was by now generating some significant shifts and Wolstenholm/Roberts benefitted from many of them. By the time they reached the windward mark, they had about a 30 second lead, which they extended throughout the race to win by a comfortable minute or so. The remaining fleet continued to battle with positions changing throughout the race. The Tavinor's were clearly enjoying their return to Snipes and finished in 2nd with Cohen/Rumble taking a well deserved 3rd.

A great weekend's sailing and social as always in the Snipe Fleet. The tight racing meant that positions were frequently changing. Blackwater Sailing Club organised a brilliant Open Event for both the Wayfarer and Snipe Fleets and we look forward to retuning again next year.

Snipe Open and South Eastern Championships at Blackwater - photo © Zoe Nelson

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