In memory of Glyn

Mark Rushall describes this weekend's Glyn Charles memorial Pursuit Race out of Hayling Island SC

For the fourth year running, the weather provided sunshine, and a perfect breeze for a family pursuit race around Chichester Harbour in memory of Glyn Charles, one of the harbour’s great characters, who was tragically lost in the Sydney Hobart race of 2000.

The emphasis of the race is definitely on taking part and having fun rather than winning, but generous prizes donated by companies including Sunsail, Gill, Holt, Gales Brewery, Yachts and Yachting, Yachting Universe.com, Four Seasons, Musto, Lewmar, Dinghy Sailing magazine, LDC, Offshore Challenges, Camper and Nicholson meant that fantastic prizes were distributed across the fleet, with a pair of Skis from Scott USA for the last adult finishers, Helen and David Harbour!

This year, Race Officer Greg Wells placated other harbour users by laying a conservative upwind start line over the comparative peace of Stocker bank. Greg’s course gave a perfect mix of beating reaching, and running, but included the race’s traditional adventures toward Bosham and Emsworth.

First away was the fleet of seven Fevas, their race emerging into a battle between Frances Peters and Olivia Pettit, Charlie (14) and James (9) Poyner (who had made the voyage from Emsworth to compete), and Alexis and Andrew Streeter. A hoard of marauding X boats, sailing an unconnected race, confused the youngsters’ navigation, and allowed the Streeters through to take the Feva fleet prize.

As the Fevas started, the promised posse of Finns from Bosham (Glyn’s home club) arrived in the starting area; however they appeared to be scared of the competition, and quickly retreated back to the familiarity of their own creek.

Starting 18 minutes after the Fevas, the biggest fleet of 17 RS 200s were joined by 6 Lasers. Stephen Powell was runaway winner of the Laser fleet, finally finishing 6th overall, while the leading bunch of RSs was led home by James Stewart and Sam Littlejohn from Stokes Bay in 7th, chased hard by Rachel and Mike Wigmore, the first of six Itchenor representatives.

However by the time the RSes started, last years winners Ian and Jane Porter were already on their way: “Ian made me sit out” complained Jane afterwards. “We enjoyed our Sunsail holiday so much last year, that she sat out for the first time for a year” retorted Ian;” and we are now taking orders for new Wayfarers for next year’s race!” 

The only real threat to the Wayfarer’s repeat win came from Simon Childs’ third placed Phantom, until the long run toward Emsworth sealed first and second places for the conventional spinnaker boats, with William Warren and Robbie Samson’s Merlin Rocket passing the most boats through the race to take second overall and a weekend break in the south of France courtesy of Four Seasons.

Though far from traditional 420 handicap weather, Henry and Sam Maxfield sailed exceptionally well to take fourth place overall, £100 worth of Gill gear, and first juniors’ trophy.

For the trapeze asymmetric fleets of B14s, RS 800s, Laser 4000s and 14 International 14s, the run against the tide in a narrowing Emsworth channel will remain a blurred but memorable experience: a spectacular grounding and pitch-pole by Dick Parker and David Cunningham only outdone by the frantic manoeuvres of those behind, trying to avoid the snapped off end of Ian Pinnell’s centreboard while rounding the leeward mark!

Though James Fawcett and Dave Dubrovnic won the 14 fleet of 14 boats, with 14th place, the lure of the beach and the sun allowed Mark Upton Brown, second placed 14, to claim the booty at the prize giving. The battle of the trapeze asymmetrics was finally won by Neil Robinson, 11th in his RS 700.  

Despite Greg’s good intentions, the race once again included excitement across the harbour entrance for a short while. Neil celebrated by performing a radical back flip and tangled with one of the finishing vessels. When Barrie Edgington, first RS 800, (sailing with Emma White), joined in by capsizing at the other end of the finishing line, the situation got really confused. The finishing boats changed places, and Barrie finally extricated himself only to inadvertently take his role as Olympic talent spotter a little too literally, by impaling himself on Melissa Heppell’s 470.

Meanwhile the 5.5m keelboat of Mark Covell, Russell Peters, and Johnny Vickers had a more serene race: “We had to miss out some marks due to lack of water, but had a nice picnic, and took in the atmosphere as we cruised the harbour!” Nick and Kate Peters sailing with Tracy Moss in their Elite keelboat had an even more laid-back race, lasting all of 3 seconds before Nick’s knot came undone and the mainsail fell down!

The finish line excitement gave the race officers a stressful time sorting out the final results, but most spectators used the time to meet and honour old friends.

Thank you to HISC and, and to all the volunteers who helped to organise a memorable event, and of course to the sponsors for honouring a much missed friend. Proceeds from the event were donated to the John Merricks trust, a charity which Glyn actively supported.

Planning has already started to ensure that next year’s event is even more memorable. New features will include a lead boat, and a simplified finishing system, to encourage local and long range visitors. To receive early details of next years’ Glyn Charles Memorial Pursuit Race, please send an e mail to glynsrace@rushall.net

Results

1	Wayfarer	Ian Porter	Jane Porter	HISC
2	Merlin Rocket	William Warren	Robbie Sampson	Shoreham SC
3	Phantom	Simon Childs		DWSC
4
1st Junior	420	Henry Maxfield	Sam Maxfield	HISC
5	Wayfarer	Ted Gadd	Wendy Gadd	HISC
6
2nd Junior	Laser	Stephen Powell		HISC
7	RS200	James Stewart	Sam Littlejohn	Stokes Bay
8	Wayfarer	J Hartley	N Doe	HISC
9	RS200	Rachel Wigmore	Mike Wigmore	HISC
10
3rd Junior	420	Maria Stanley	Catherine Alton	Oxford