Results / Boll� RS100 POSH Regatta Paignton SC - 11/05/2013

The Bollé sponsored RS 100 circuit arrived at Paington SC for the annual POSH (Paignton Open for Single Handers) as the largest of the fleets, finding that the big breezes forecast were already present.

With some heavy gusts coming off the land in the westerly breeze, a few sailors checked their slot gaskets on the way out to the race course. Race 1 started in around 18 knots with local sailor Chris Cunningham showing blistering pace to lead the fleet around, even choosing to drop and tack at times, much to the derision of the rest of the fleet later. At the end of the 3^rd lap and with no S flag up, Chris headed up the beat on the final lap, to be surprised when second placed sailor Mark Harrison went for the line and got a gun. Chris put the bow down and was recorded as 2^nd with Steven Lee coming in 3^rd. After some discussion in the fleet, results were allowed to stand. By now the breeze was gusting 30 knots and the Race Officer sent all fleets ashore.

Sunday dawned lighter but with a forecast to build to Saturday’s levels. Races were targeted to be 30 minutes long in order to get in at least four. Race 2 was won by Huw Powell followed by Mark and Steven. By Race 3, visitors were getting used to the local variations around the race course; Huw won followed again by Mark and Steven, with only 4 boat lengths then separating places 4 to 8 at the finish. Timed to perfection, Al Hall port tacked the fleet at the start of Race 4. Huw spotted big breeze on the left of the first run and popped out just in front of Clive Eplett at the bottom mark. These two were followed home by Greg Booth who in turn was happy to be ahead of the unfolding carnage behind as Chris, David Smart and Steven simultaneously arrived at the last mark; Chris obligingly turtled allowing the rest to sail on past.

With short-lived shifts, the key was to hold your nerve up the beats and hold out for real tacking opportunities. Greg‘s pace and angles were such that Huw was forced to apply a loose cover upwind and down to ensure he didn’t get past. Huw and Greg were chased home again by Steven in Race 5.

Just when they thought it was all over, the Race Office triggered Race 6 – the fifth of the day. Having already completed some 16 hoists and drops that day, not everyone was delighted. Just as the sequence was running down the forecast breeze kicked in with gusts over 25 knots. Grateful for the S flag after 3 laps, Huw and Mark finished 1, 2 with a welcome return of David to the front of the fleet. Bruised and battered, the fleet beat upwind to the town beach with some notables giving that slot gasket one final inspection in the last 100m…

Next stop for the 100 fleet is Carnac where the order is for less wind and more sun!