P le W k Report P le W k Report

With the Nationals been held at home the Parkstone fleet were backing their reputation and stayed at home, although 14 local boats along with 2 visitors turned out for Bournemouth Digital Poole Week.

A six-day event held annually in August with 2 races a day scheduled in the afternoons and various socials organised for the fleet.

The forecast was for a windy start to the regatta and dropping as the week went on.

As promised first day was breezy, and not the fine summer day hoped for and the crews turned up for the competitors briefing to be told that the race officers had already decided that they would only run one race using fixed marks rather than laid mark so a harbour tour was on. All the entered boats decided to head out to committee boat to enjoy the boisterous conditions. Bob Alexander and Huw Willetts showed the fleet the way on 3537, followed by Patrick Keats and Chris Jermyn on 3821 and visitor Ian Linder and Kevin Sweetman on 3851.

The fleet returned to the Club for the Poole Week curry evening and discussions of broaches and whether the wind would reduce for the following day.

The weather forecast was promising less wind for day two, but competitors were greeted to another windy day. As the platform was showing gusts of 28 knots it was decided that the fleets that were starting on the platform would not race. The race officer of the committee boat decided that it should be business as usual and the fifteens, lasers, RS200s and RS400s ventured out for a beat to the committee boat start line. A windward/leeward course was set for the fifteen fleet and it was a close battle at the front of the fleet with Sunday’s winners Bob Alexander and Huw Willetts on 3537 having a tussle with Chris Gorringe and Nadia Hosie on 4025 for the front. Chris and Nadia managed a tidier rounding at the bottom mark and held the inside and hold the advantage on the short beat to the finish. Patrick Keats and Chris Jermyn on 3821 managed their second podium of the week finishing third. After the first race the race officer sent the fleet home to enjoy a debrief from the coaches that had been following the fleet, Annie

Lush and Niall Myant -Best. This was followed by a Pimm’s party very kindly hosted by Vanessa and Peter Dobson at their house just around the corner from the club. The weather was kind and it was a good chance for the fleet to socialise with the other keelboat class at the regatta, X one designs, and enjoy the Dobson’s lovely view of the harbour!

On Tuesday the wind had dropped and the sun came out, giving the fleet a classic day’s racing in Poole Harbour. Bob Alexander and Huw Willetts were back at the front and won both races. The first race was a triangle sausage course and there were new boats taking the podium positions with Simon Redhead and Mike Riley on 3916 in taking second and Mervyn Wright and Ron Elliott on 3904 in third. The second race was a harbour tour where Graham Davies and Claire Greeno on 3934 in second and after a frustrating result in the first race of the day Patrick Keats and Chris Jermyn returned to the podium on 3821.

The fabulous conditions of Tuesday continued into Wednesday afternoon and the fleet enjoyed two triangle sausage courses in top triangle. It was close racing at the front of the fleet in both races. Bob Alexander and Huw Willetts on 3537 continued their top form with a win in the first race and a second place in the second. Graham Davies and Homfray Vine on 3934 continued their form of Tuesday with a second in the first race and for the with their best result of the regatta so far Dick Linford and Peter Biggs came third. The second race saw visitors Ian Linder and Kevin Sweetman 3851 back on top with a win and Patrick Keats and Chris Jermyn return to the podium in third. The socials continued with Dick and Fi Linford hosting a drinks party on their cruiser in the marina.

For the penultimate days racing the fleet enjoyed yet more champagne sailing. The race officer decided to give the fleet three races with two triangle sausage courses and a harbour tour to bring the fleet home. Once again Bob Alexander and Huw Willetts showed their winning form with three wins sealing up the regatta with a day to spare. Once again it was close racing within the fleet and two more boats took podium spots with Adrian Tattersall and Richard Popper on 3914 taking third in race one and second in race three. In race two Geof Gibbons and Dave Hoy had their best result of the regatta with a third. Chris Gorringe and Nadia Hosie on 4025 having had a few frustrating results were back at the front in the first and third races with a second and third respectively. Graham Davies and Homfray Vine got their third second place of the week in the second race of the day. The fleet returned to the club with stories to tell and to enjoy their class dinner at the club.

The race officer set a triangle sausage and a harbour tour for the last day of racing on a day that saw the wind drop leaving tricky conditions for the fleet. Bob Alexander and Huw Willetts took the day off sailing and enjoyed the sunshine, giving the rest of the fleet a chance at the front of the fleet. Christina and Stephen Moncur on 3850 took advantage in the first race having a close battle with Ian Linder and Kevin Sweetman on 3851 before finally taking the lead at the final mark to win. Steve and Lisa Randle on 4019 had their best result of the week taking third. The last race saw yet another new winner with father and daughter team Stewart and Jade Bowen on 3715 winning followed by Mervyn Wright and Ron Elliot on 3904 in second and Chris Gorringe and Nadia Hosie on 4025 in third.

It had been a week of contrast, but the fleet had enjoyed tight racing and some excellent socials. We look forward to next year with Poole Week taking place from Sunday 23 – Friday 28 August.

written by Christina Moncur