Fed Week finale

Ges New wraps up the big event on Chicester Harbour

It would be not be a true Fed week without a 'blow' on one day, and after the very hot start to the week with fickle breezes, the competitors had just that with a good force four from the south east. After such light conditions on previous days it was not surprising that some of the record entry of 434 boats were caught out by the stronger wind claiming one broken mast, and several capsizes. Using a new course, which provided excellent racing for Series 1 classes but proving a little short for Series 2, the competitors enjoyed some exciting reaches for the first time this week, albeit that they were tight for some of the asymmetrics.

On Series 1 in the Fast Asymmetric fleet Lovering and Kent cleared any hangovers from the traditional disco of Thursday night to clock up their second win and secure the Series for the week. Neil Robinson in his RS700 maintained 2nd place on corrected time to hold the week's runners up prize. In the RS800s Mike Lennon and Emma White 1061 secured their third win of the week and the class, with Chips Howarth 1044 unable to sail for the last two days. Andrew Gould and Vicky Lewis (Emsworth Slipper) ISO 815 proved that consistency pays with a 4th second to finish 2 points clear of 29er 168 Stephanie Jones and Sam Tozer of Island Barn SC. In the RS400 fleet Mark and Jeremy Littlejohn of Lancing celebrated their first Fed Week taking the trophy from locals Tim Weeden and Melanie Miller of Thorney Island SC.

The International Moths led the Fast Handicap fleet on corrected time with Simon Payne in 4042 (HISC) ahead of Richard Powell 4037 (Langstone). James Yearsley and Jonny Costard 3727 (HISC) clinched both trophies of the Flying Fifteen fleet by clocking their second win ahead of Mike and Caroline McIntyre 3563 (HISC). Ed Grieg 593 (HISC) convincingly won the Finn class with 3 wins although Adam Knibb 93 (HISC) only just kept ahead of veteran Graeme Macdonald 556 (Mengham Rythe) to hold 2nd place.

In Series 2, the RS 200s Andrew Robertson and Christina King (Bow Moor) finally secured 3rd place behind the boats of Pickard and Taylor. The 44 strong and largest fleet saw James Fifield (Emsworth Slipper) in Laser 176568 finish the week 1 point ahead of Nick Voller 176839 (Burfield) in third place. In the Laser Radials Robert Godwin 164595 remained untouchable despite not sailing for the last day. Three straight wins over the last three days proved veteran Tony Catchpole 4381 (HISC) too good for Tim Randall 4444 (HISC) and Keith Videlo 4369 (Frensham) in the Solo fleet.

On Series 3 Jamie Cartwright's, Topper 43096 (HISC), disappointing 9th place did not prevent him securing 2nd place of the week ahead of Tom Walker 42831 (West Wittering). In the Slow Handicap Mary and Emma Hales of Emsworth in their Pico 830 held off their neighbours Jonathan Holmes and Eleanor Ayling from Emsworth Slipper sailing Mirror 20093 for 2nd place, despite staying ashore for the final race. In the Optimists a tie break was broken between Georgina Andrew and Ben Gratton, both of HISC, on Georgina's winning the final race.

The final trophies for the week were claimed by Emsworth Slipper who remained second to HISC for the Inter-Club team challenge. - CHF Race Office

Full results can be found on www.hisc.co.uk