Lass leads the field in the X One Design class in Points Week 2017. Image David Priscott.
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News
Points Week at Itchenor Sailing Club
Posted 19th June 2017i
Itchenor Sailing Club’s annual Points Week is a tradition that goes back many decades but rarely has there been a more perfect week weather-wise. With beautiful sunshine and changing wind directions, the weather conditions made for interesting and varied racing throughout the week.
For the three classic keelboat classes that race during Points Week – XODs, Swallows and Sunbeams, race officer Roger Wickens had decreed that racing should take place each side of high water to give the maximum flexibility in course setting. He took full advantage of this to test the fleets with challenging windward legs both against and with the tide to the fours corners of Chichester Harbour followed by exciting downwind legs with full spinnakers giving a colourful addition to the Harbour background.
Of the 50 boats racing in Points Week, half were in the XOD fleet – 22 local boats augmented by three visitors from Cowes. Monday’s race provided one of the closest finishes with X55 Falconet (Peter Lawrence, Ron Parker and Jim Dunn) just half a boat’s length ahead of X80 Lass (Jeremy Lear and John Tremlett) after two hours racing. Tuesday’s race was more clear cut when X26 Catherine (Colin McKinnon with Neil and Ros Hart) established an early lead that could not be bettered by Lass who was again second. On Wednesday for most of the race it appeared that this would be Lass’s day but X90 Astralita (Mike Martell, Fraser Graham and Tim Copsey) thought better and overhauled her by the final leg home. Winds on Thursday were the strongest of the week, gusting 25 knots and clearly suited X50 Xcitation (Roger Yeoman with Roddy Bridge) taking first place ahead of Lass in the two spot yet again. In Friday’s medium breeze X50 established a lead from the start, took the direct route to the windward mark on the Winner Bank and was not challenged although Lass held on to make it a full set of second places. However, Lass’s consistency was more than enough to take first place overall in the series for the Benson Platter. Xcitation was second and Astralita third.
In the Swallow class the early races suggested the series might be a three horse race with Gwaihir (Mike Wigmore, Mark Struckett and Charles Hyatt) taking the first race ahead of Migrant (Charles Fisher, Richard Thompson and Nigel Glennie) and Darter (Tony Glover with Harry and Prue Roome). Darter then took honours in the two short races on Tuesday with Gwaihir scoring a third and a second place. Migrant took a second but then faded with a seventh. Gwaihir established a significant lead in the Wednesday race that wasn’t challenged, even by Darter in second position. This was the order again in the first of Thursday’s two short races. Gwaihir also took first place in the next race.
So with the series win for the Buccaneer Trophy secured by Gwaihir at the end of Thursday, Friday’s race was to decide the minor places. Migrant came back from midweek disappointments with a second place behind Gwaihir but it was only good enough for third overall behind Darter.
The winner of the Sunbeam series was not decided until the Friday, with at least four boats in contention after four races. The Evans/Leach partnership in Polly secured the win on Monday. It was Joe and Cathy Burnie’s turn on Tuesday to take top spot in Fleury. Then came Alan Stannah’s charge in Spray with three wins in a row to take the Wengen Cowbell for the series win ahead of the consistent Alchemy sailed by Richard and Sarah Pearson. Fleury was third overall.
Schools Week 2017 - Wednesday 28th to Friday 30th June
Posted 16th June 2017
Entries received to date for the Firefly and International 420 events include:
48 Fireflies, 7 International 420
JAGS - 3 Fireflies
Sherborne - 2 Fireflies
Dulwich College - 2 Fireflies
Ardingly College - 3 x Fireflies
Tonbridge School - 2 x Fireflies
RGS Guildford - 6 Fireflies
Stowe School - 2 Fireflies
Oundle - 3 x Fireflies
Portsmouth Grammar School - 1 x Firefly
Magdalen College School - 6 x Fireflies
Burford School - 1 x Firefly
Seaford College - 3 x Fireflies
Sevenoaks School - 5 x Fireflies
Wellington College - 1 x Firefly
Millfield - 2 x Fireflies
Winchester College - 4 x Fireflies
Priors Field - 1 x Firefly
Rugby School - 1 x Firefly
Stamford Endowed Schools - 2 x International 420
St Catherines - 2 x International 420
Brighton College - 1 x International 420
Radley College - 1 x International 420
Portsmouth Grammar School - 1 x International 420
Don't forget our instagram competition - click here for details
Norman Moore Trophy 2017
Posted 31st May 2017
The Norman Moore Trophy has been raced for at Itchenor Sailing Club every year since 1953, and over the years has grown in importance to become the premier home event for the National Swallow Class. As several owners and some boats are currently ‘off games’, a slightly diminished fleet of 17 boats gathered on Saturday morning in a solid 20-25 knots of breeze and sunshine for the first of five races.
Swift, having recovered Jeremy Sibthorp by his feet following a pre-start crash gybe to avoid a Swallow contretemps ahead, went on to open their score sheet with a win. Gwaihir lost a good initial lead but held off Echo to take second place.
By the two races in the afternoon Charlie Hartley, son of skipper James Hartley, had been substituted for the somewhat bruised and wet Jeremy and Swift was back to business but by then the Gwaihir team had recovered their form and posted back to back wins. In race two Christine Graves’s team Skua, helmed by Chris Creak was second, followed by Swift then Tony Glover’s Darter. Race three saw the same first two with Bluff, taking the last podium place ahead of Migrant. The course congestion as the fleet caught up the XOD fleet at marks where the favoured mark exit crossed the incoming fleet was exciting but all part of racing in Chichester Harbour.
The club was full in the evening as the current fleet and many past Swallow sailors gathered for a Gala Dinner to Celebrate 70 years since the formation of the class in 1947 in preparation for its featuring in the 1948 Olympics.
Sunday was to be a very different sort of sailing. PRO Phillip Pascall managed to find a zephyr of breeze to start race four but with its 40 degree shifts and vagaries of strength there were plenty of traps for the unwary. The race was initially led by National Swallow Class chairman Malcolm Green sailing Archon but it was Bluff who eventually won with Echo taking the third. Gwaihir were pleased that there would now be a discard score allowed as otherwise would have posted a very large total! The afternoon brought torrential rain but still hardly any wind so at 1500 the excellent race management team brought out the “N” flag and all were towed home for tea and prize giving.
Would you like to race a Swallow? The sponsored 'ready to race' spare Swallow is available for visiting guests to use at Itchenor SC Points Week 12-16 June, the Swallow Championships weekend at Cowes 15-16 July and Cowes Classics regatta 17-21st July. Contact isc.swallow.capt@gmail.com to book.
The final result was
1st Gwaihir. Mike Wigmore, Mark Struckett and Charles Hyatt
2nd Swift. James Hartley, Rob Sutherland, Jeremy Sibthorp and Ian Tillett.
3rd Bluff. Hugo Fisher, Nigel Masding and Richard House.
4th Echo. Simon Slater, George Miller, & James Cunnison.
5th Skua. Christine Graves. Chris Creak, David Maclean, Robin Knott and Nick Boyd.
Changes to Youth and Junior Supported Classes
Mirror, Topper, 420, Laser Radial and Feva XL
Posted 18th May 2017
I am pleased to say that on 5th May General Committee approved the outcome of the Youth and Junior part of the Supported Class Review which commenced last year.
- With effect from the start of winter training later this year, and leading into 2018 season, the Club will introduce a revised Youth and Junior sailing pathway. This new structure will be underpinned by ‘strongly recommended’ minimum ages for each class which are fundamental to the success of the pathway
- Affirmation that the Club is committed to the Mirror, Topper and Int 420 as Supported Classes
- Introduction of two new classes, being the RS Feva XL and the Laser Radial, to supplement the three existing classes of the Mirror, Topper and Int 420.
- Establishment of a Youth and Junior Sailing Committee which will focus specifically on the Youth and Junior sailing activities and be a sub-committee of Sailing Committee.
Julian Hantrais (RS Feva XL) and Caroline Clarke (Laser Radial) will be the two new class captains.
For full details please click here
We are very excited about this and will be putting every effort into making it a success.
RS800 COACHING WEEKEND
Posted 24th May 2017
Twelve RS800s gathered at the lovely Itchenor SC over the weekend for an action packed two days of coaching with skiff gurus Harvey Hilary and Stevie Wilson. They were greeted with wall to wall sunshine and all-too-tempting cake.
On arrival, crews were given rig set-up advice as they rigged their boats followed by a classroom session on sail trim through the wind range. Back in the sunshine the group split in two for land drill, breaking down tacking and gybing into bite sized steps. Half the teams were crew boom sheeting with Harvey showing the recommended technique, while the other half had Stevie demonstrating how the helm should get across the boat in a tidy and timely manner.
Please click here to read the rest of this article
Mirror and Topper Training Week application forms are now online. Click here to see them
JUNIOR FORTNIGHT 2017
This great event will start on Monday 31st July and draw to a close on Friday 11th August.
Registration will be on the afternoon of Sunday 30th July.
Event Entry is now open.
We hope that you will find out all you need to know about JF 2017 on the JF part of the website. Click on this link.
If you are new to JF or you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the club office, committee or class captains. We are all listed on the JF page.
Looking for a helm or a crew? Click here to add yourself to the list of others looking.
Support Rota: JF relies on the support of parents/guardians to ensure the safety of the children at all times. Accordingly, all parents are required to do a number of duties, both ashore and afloat. Preferences for dates and roles will be accommodated as far as is possible, but the principal factor in allocation of duties will be optimise our safety cover at all times.
If there are any parents/guardians of JF2017 competitors who would like to gain more experience in a safety role, take a Power Boat 2 course, please look at the training courses on the website via this link and/or speak to George in the club office on 01242 512400
Duty Paid List: Sometimes families struggle to fulfil all their allocated duties. The JF committee will publish a list of school leavers who will be eligible to do duties for a suggested payment of £60 per day. Those eligible to be on the list will be full club members, a school leaver (aged 17yrs or older), having left school at the end of the summer term 2017, and holds a Power Boat 2 Certificate. If you fulfil these criteria and are competent in safety boat cover, please contact the office.
In the meantime, Happy Sailing, and gets lots of race practice in!
The JF Committee
CONGRATULATIONS TO IZZY (GOLD) AND KATIE (SILVER) IN THE INT420 YOUTH NATIONALS 2017
Posted 14th April 2017
Huge congratulations to Izzy Davies and Gemma Keers (Gold) and Katie Davies and Midge Watkins (Silver) in the Youth Nationals 2017 at Hayling.
Full Int420 results on this link
CONGRATULATIONS TO IAN WALKER, MBE
Posted 5th April 2017
Many congratulations to ISC member Ian Walker, MBE on his appointment as Director of Racing for the RYA.
As Director of Racing, a position he will take over full time from October, Walker will oversee the RYA’s World Class Programme and talent pathways, as well as the broader remit of racing participation in all its forms in the UK.
Please click here to read the story.
IZZY and GEMMA DO IT AGAIN!
Posted 3rd April 2017
After dominating the Inland Championship two weeks ago Izzy and Gemma continued to dominate the 420 class by winning the Spring championship last weekend at Hayling Island. The girls got 6 bullets out of the seven race series This result means that between Izzy and Gemma and Katie, Itchenor hold all the major 420 UK championships .... the sailing equivalent of the Grand Slam.
We wish Gemma and Izzy all the best next week as they defend their youth championship title and endeavour to be the first all girl team to win overall the Youth National Championships back to back.
Good luck girls
CREWING AN XOD
The Crew forum has been running successfully at Itchenor for many years as a means of matching existing and prospective members with experienced sailors, providing an opportunity to sail in an X One Design. You will also experience the joys of Chichester Harbour and the excellent facilities at Itchenor Sailing Club.
We race every Saturday and Sunday from April to October. Any sailing member is most welcome to race with us, please make yourself known to me or email me at Crew Forum to add your name to our contact list.
We also have a fun race on Wednesday evenings when we have the harbour almost to ourselves! Just come down between 5-5.15pm, for a race, drink and supper. Get to know us. The harbour at sunset is quite beautiful and always different.
Better still, email me and I'll introduce you to a helm.
Please contact me, Susie Alexander, by email at xod.crewforum@gmail.com if you would like to join us for a race. I can answer any questions you may have and introduce you to the skippers and crews.
Sailing Instructions and Rule Changes 2017
Posted 27th March 2017
Please make sure you check out the Racing and Sailing documents page of the website to see the new Sailing Instructions and also the new Racing Rules.
Izzy Davies and Gemma Keers off to a winning start in 2017
Posted 20th March 2017
Izzy Davies and Gemma Keers opened up their 2017 campaign in the 420s by winning the Inland Championships in Rutland. Out of a fleet of 41 boats our Itchenor girls got 5 bullets and a third from the six race series. In winds of 20 knots plus it really was an awesome achievement.
Eleanor Keers also scooped up the under 17 prize and Katie Davies picked up the fourth overall prize. The roadshow for 420s now moves to Haying Island in two weeks for the Spring Championships.
Busy Ready To Race weekend.
Image courtesy Robin Wootton
We had a very busy and packed full of information Ready To Race weekend on 11th / 12th March. Good foundations laid for a bumper season!
Schools Week 2017
Posted 8th March 2017
Schools Week entry is now open.
Please click here for RS Feva event entry form
Please click here for 420 and Firefly entry form (Senior event)
RS200 Winter Warmer - March 4th and 5th - Report and Results
A total of 24 RS200s made it out for the RS200 Winter Warmer Series on the first weekends of January, February and March. The February and March instalments were combined with dinghy working parties which drew RS200, RS800 and I14 representatives down to ISC to help mend the staging for the start of the season. Click here for results and a report from the third and final weekend of 4/5 March.
Please click here to read the full report
Please click here for the results
Images courtesy Charles Hyatt
Spring Social Programme
Please click here to download the Spring Social programme
Katie Nurton
2016 Yachts & Yachting Amateur Sailor of the Year
Posted 13th January 2016
Huge congratulations to Katie on this prestigious award. Katie received the award, voted for by readers of Yachts & Yachting at the London Boat Show yesterday. Katie received the award for winning the POW and for her general achievements in the Int 14 class last year.
A reminder, should we need one, of the great staff we have.
Posted 9th January 2017
A massive thank you to all at Itchenor Sailing Club for everything you did for our Christmas wedding. It was a wonderful, perfect and magical day. Everything that we wanted and wished for and more.
Everyone at ISC couldn't have been more helpful. Everything ran like clockwork but in a really relaxed way. That doesn't happen without a lot of really hard work behind the scenes and great team work.
Especial thanks to -
Phoebe in the office for her efficiency and help, especially with the chair covers.
Annemarie for the amazing and really delicious food.
Sergio and Tanya for being so great the evening before the wedding in helping to set everything up and also their hard work and great service with a smile at the wedding.
The biggest thank you, however, must go to Nick for his massive contribution towards our day. He was lovely to deal with throughout and nothing was too much trouble. What a gem he is, very hard working but always in a relaxed and easy to deal with way.
Thank to every single member of staff who played their part on our wonderful wedding day.
The feedback from all our guests was fantastic, they all enjoyed themselves greatly with many compliments with regard to the venue and it's wonderful setting, the food and the brilliant staff.
All in all we really couldn't have asked for more from you all in that oh so perfect and beautiful venue. As far as we are concerned you have it just right so don't change a thing.
Bloody Mary
Posted 9th January 2017
A complete contrast to last year when Neale Jones and Ed Fitzgerald won by a mile in their Int 14 - and they finished 133rd this year in a fleet of 250 (It would have been more but about 40 thought better of the very light conditions). Congratulations to Maria Stanley and Rob Henderson in their RS 200 for coming 23rd o/a and getting the class prize too.
Click here for results and story
Ian Walker MBE
Many congratulations to club member Ian Walker who has been made an MBE for services to Olympic and international competitive sailing in the New Year's Honours List.
A History of Itchenor Sailing Cliub
Posted 16th December 2016
We thought you might enjoy this wonderful record of the history of our Club from its formation in 1927 until 1981, written by Tony Wright (who was Admiral of the Club from 1970-1985). The foreword written by Robin Wilson (Commodore 1977-1981, and who kindly gave us this copy) sets the scene nicely.
Please click here to download it.
CLUB AUTUMN MAGAZINE
Misplaced your copy? You can now download a pdf copy by clicking here
AUTUMN MAILING 2016
Posted 28th September 2016
Please click here to download the Autumn Mailing.
Junior and Youth Winter Training 2016/17
Posted 29th August 2016
Further details and how to enter this winter’s junior and youth winter training programme are available from this link. Just a reminder that the training dates are:
Session 1 - 24th & 25th September - all classes (Mirror, Topper, 420’s)
Session 2 - 22nd & 23rd October - all classes
Session 3 - 17th & 18th December - all classes
Session 4 - 11th & 12th March - all classes
Session 5 - 14th 7 15th April - all classes
Session 6 - 28th & 29th May - Mirror and Toppers Only
International 14 World Championship - Yacht Club Carnac - 21st August to 2nd September
Updated 3rd September 2016
Click here for the schedule of this event.
Final result. Archie Massey/ Harvey Hillary 3rd. Neale Jones/Ed FitzGerald 5th. Click here to go to the results page and other ISC competitors.
Mirror Nationals
Lots of winners! Image Mary Pudney
Please link here to our Mirror Nationals page for reports and results
RS200 NATIONALS - Mount's Bay Sailing Club - 21st to 25th August
Nice 5th overall for George Yeoman and Sophie Ormsby in a 96 boat fleet. Catch the final report and the rankings here.
Swift wins Haines Challenge Cup
Posted 23rd August 2016
Image Charles Hyatt
This image shows the two leading Swallows (Gwaihir and Swift) side by side on the run and the then leading XoD (Foxglove) in the background. Swift went on to win after Gwaihir suffrered gear failure.
Youth and Junior Winter training programme 2016/17
Posted 17th August 2016
Following on from the success of the first combined Youth and Junior Winter training programme in 2015/16 we are pleased to confirm that the programme for 2016/17 has now been agreed. Consequently we will shortly be inviting all youth and junior sailors who want improve their skills to apply for the 2016/17 training. For those that took part in the training last year the benefits were clearly seen at JF, with a very strong showing from many of the sailors who participated.
The proposed dates are as follows and have been set, we hope, to work with as many school ‘break’ dates as possible so that the training is available to as many as possible.
Session 1 - 24th & 25th September - all classes (Mirror, Topper, 420’s)
Session 2 - 22nd & 23rd October - all classes
Session 3 - 17th & 18th December - all classes
Session 4 - 11th & 12th March - all classes
Session 5 - 14th 7 15th April - all classes
Session 6 - 28th & 29th May - Mirror and Toppers Only
in order that we can commit to coaches and ensure that we can confirm rib requirements / availability with the club we ask that sailors commit to all sessions. In 2016/17 we won’t be offering one-off / adhoc access to training sessions. We have taken this decision to ensure that those sailors that attend regularly continue to build on the skills learnt in prior sessions. Costs will be advised once budgets have been confirmed.
We are hoping to have the following boats per class:
12-18 Mirrors - 2/3 trains groups based on experience
12 Toppers - 2 groups based on experience
6-12 420’s - 1/2 groups dependent on both skill and numbers
With respect to both the Mirror and Topper classes we have also decided this year (based on last year’s experiences) to set a minimum age for sailors. We want to make sure that all sailors are both willing and able to spend relatively long periods on the water in most conditions. Consequently all sailors applying must be in school year 6 or above - i.e. 10 years or older.
As ever these programmes only take place with much support from parents. We ask that all parents who have children participating commit to a minimum of one and hopefully a maximum of two duties. Our experience from last year suggest that these duties will be advised approximately 2 weeks before each session and parents will be drawn from those who confirm they are attending the session. Typically we will be looking to man between 6-9 ribs with a combination of coaches and safety crew. Where possible this year we will be looking to minimise the use of parent ribs given that many are out of the water for the winter however if you will be keeping a rib in or around the water and are happy for us to use it please let me know.
Last, but by no means least, we are also hoping to replicate the success of the socials that we held to coincide with the weekend. Mixing and matching with wider club socials we plan to have something for all ages to enjoy!
Watch this space and/or your class news for further information.
George Rice
Sailing Manager
Congratulations to Isabel Davies and Gemma Keers
Posted 26th July 2016
Many congratulations to Isabel Davies and Gemma Keers on finishing top British boat and 9th overall in the Ladies 420 World Championships in Marina degli Aregai, Italy. The result means that the girls will represent GBR in the Youth Sailing World Championship in New Zealand this winter.
Round The Island Race 2016
Posted 12th July 2016
Andy Shaw and his team on the diminutive Flying Boat, put in a stunning performance this year in the RTI, winning their class and coming 8th overall in IRC. Below Alistair Shaw tells us about the most enjoyable race he has had for years.
“Despite a bit of a slow start (I forgot the radio so we had to go back), the air was lovely and clear for the first couple of miles. It was just our weather and our old sails did fine with the conditions. Two slabs in the main and the No. 2, 6 of us sitting on the rail and off we went!
By the time we reached the Spinnaker up at The Needles, we were well into our fleet and overtook hundreds on the downwind. We couldn’t hold the spin all the way to St Catherine’s, so took it down for the last mile, but then held it all the way to Bembridge.
It was a fast race, we averaged 7 knots (not bad for a 26ft boat!) along the south of the island and seldom dropped below 10kts!
Andrew helmed brilliantly downwind with Tim Saxton on the sheet, in three jibes we only capsized twice and didn’t lose much time. Pipa and I did most of the running around, with Michael and Rihanna keeping us upright. Andrew’s complete refit of the running gear in the weeks leading up to race paid off as everything worked - a first for Flying Boat! We even managed tea and coffee after St Catherine’s!”
Swallow Nationals 2016
Posted 11th July 2016
We have a new Champion! Carolyn Brigg, David and Ollie Sloper in Marengo triumphed in a breezy championship event in Bembridge this last weekend.
National Swallows National Championships 2016 at Bembridge (9th & 10th July)
Eighteen National Swallows, a near record number, raced over from Itchenor to Bembridge on Friday afternoon in readiness for their 2016 National Championships that were being run for them by Bembridge Sailing Club over the weekend. First to cross the line by quite a margin after a long beat from West Pole was S7, Swift, with S94, Merlin, second and S93, Gwaihir, in third.
The forecast for Saturday was for a South Westerly F5 gusting F6 breeze and at Friday evening’s briefing it was agreed that a steady 25 knots or above would be the limit for racing. After a delay to the original start time to allow crews to safely embark in the launches & RIBs from Colonel’s Hard, the first race got under way 11:30 in a 15 - 17 knot SW’erly breeze and quite unpleasant sea conditions. Almost immediately after the start the wind backed by 45 degees, so the first beat was not as good as planned, however, the windward mark and its spreader were moved for the subsequent rounds, as was the leeward gate, which ensured testing beats. At the front, S82 Marengo helmed by Carolyn Brigg & S86 Migrant helmed by Chris Fox were never far apart and there was only 7 seconds between them at the finish; S66, Buccaneer, helmed by Mike Bond was third and Simon Slater in S87, Echo, was fourth.
The second race started at 12:30 in challenging conditions with gusts of over 20 knots and an increasingly turbulent wave pattern. Avocet and Migrant, were both initially OCS so had some catching up to do in the three round windward-leeward race. Not long after rounding the leeward gate for the first time, Mike Wigmore in S93 Gwaihir had to retire when the clew of their mainsail pulled out and with the breeze increasing as the race progressed, three other boats decided that they had had enough and headed back to their moorings. The downwind leg under spinnaker proved particularly challenging and although there was no further terminal damage, a number of boats broached as the gusts took charge. Out in front, Carolyn Brigg in Marengo proved too strong for the rest and powered to her second win of the day with Harry Roome S3, Skua, second just over 40 seconds later. Franck Petitgas in S61 Quetzal was third, just under 30 seconds ahead of James Hartley in S7, Swift. With the breeze now averaging over 25 knots and the sea conditions becoming even more unpleasant, the Race Officers, lead by Jonathan Peel wisely decided to abandon further racing for the day and so sent the very wet fleet back to their overnight moorings at Under Tyne.
After an excellent Championship dinner at BSC, the crews all met again at Colonels Hard at 10:15 on Sunday morning ready for two and possibly three more races before boats either returned to Itchenor or headed to Cowes ready for Cowes Classic week. The first race started at 11:20 and although it was drizzling, the slightly reduced breeze from the day before and the less turbulent sea conditions made for considerably more pleasant racing. Having had a replacement sail delivered overnight, Mike Wigmore in S93, Gwaihir, proved to be the boat to beat which left the overnight leader Carolyn in Marengo needing to come in the top three if she was to win the Championships. After some very close racing she secured third place behind Harry Roome in Skua and just ahead of Franck Petitgas in Quetzal.
The start of the second race was under the Z flag, following a General Recall; S7, Swift and S86 Migrant both over cooked it and had to not only return but also take a 20% place penalty. Mike Wigmore in Gwaihir again lead the way for most of the race and left Carolyn in Marengo to battle it out with Harry in Skua for second and third, with Franck in Quetzal snapping at their heels. With it clear that it was not going to be possible to have a third race and as it was essential that the Swallows returning to Itchenor could cross Chichester Bar safely, the race was finished at the windward mark after two and a half rounds.
Congratulations to Carolyn and her crew of David and Ollie Sloper in Marengo who finished first overall fand therefore the winner of the Royal Corinthian YC Trophy; second was Mike Wigmore in Gwaihir who just pipped Harry Roome in Skua on a count back; Franck Petitgas in Quetzal was fourth.
An excellent Championships raced in some pretty challenging conditions; grateful thanks to the Race Management team, Mark Layers, Boatmen and other BSC Staff who made it so successful.
Web album (incl video clips): click here
Exclusive ISC Members America's Cup Presentation at Bremont Boutique Mayfair
Posted 8th July 2016
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Over 60 Itchenor Sailing Club members attended an exclusive America's Cup talk at Bremont's Mayfair boutique yesterday evening. The event featured an inspirational and illuminating talk by Mark Covell, ex America’s Cup sailor and Olympic silver medallist, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
One member commented, "It was a fantastic talk, very informative and great to touch base with some other Itchenor folk in a London environment."
Thank you to Bremont for hosting an enjoyable evening and to Lucy Gilchrist for organising.
Another Record Breaking Year for Schools Week
The National Schools Week Championships concluded on Friday with another brilliant day’s sailing. 147 boats competed in total during the week, a new record for the event. A full report will be posted on the website shortly and daily reports can be found by clicking here.
Mary Pudney has captured a lot of the action from both the Feva part of the event and the Firefly/420 one – please see our photo gallery page.
The full results can be found at by clicking here as well as a comprehensive listing of past years.
Please click here to read the 2016 event report.
Antigua Sailing Week
Posted 28th April 2016
We've had this note from the Press Ofice at Antigua Sailing Week.
We are lucky enough to have Team Itchenor Sailing Club competing at Antigua Sailing Week. Yesterday Ian Walker and the team won the Nonsuch Bay RS Elite Challenge. He beat Stuart Childerley, our new ASW PRO and the local Antiguan team at the 4th Nonsuch Bay RS Elite Challenge on Presidente Lay Day. There’s two more days left of racing, starting again today and Tony Langley’s TP52, Gladiator has a rising Antiguan young sailor on board, Rhone Kirby. Ian took some time out to offer some advice and answer Rhone’s questions.
Winner of the Nonsuch Bay RS Elite Challenge 2016 - Itchenor Sailing Club (Ian Walker, Chris Fox and Richard Bullock) with Kathy Lammers (Chairman, ASW Regatta Organising Committee and Mark Whinney from Nonsuch Bay Resort © Ted Martin
There are 15 members of Itchenor SC racing Swan 46, Milanto at Antigua Sailing Week and the team let out a huge roar as the victorious Nonsuch Bay RS Elite Challenge team joined them for lunch at Catherine's Café Plage. Ian Walker then used a coin in a game of chance to decide which of the team would use the fantastic prize!
"Basically our parents dumped a load of us in Chichester Harbour when we were still in nappies," laughed Walker. "It has been really special to catch up with old friends and to race with them at Antigua Sailing Week."
On behalf of all the teams taking part, Team Itchenor Sailing Club's Ian Walker thanked Nonsuch Bay's Mark Whinney for his hospitality and Antigua Sailing Week's Chairman of the Regatta Organising Committee, Kathy Lammers and her team for putting on a great event with superb race management.
"It was a fantastic event and I'd like to thank the sponsors and Antigua Sailing Week for making it all happen. It was superb race management and we hopefully will get to come back next year to defend our title!"
RS200 Spring Championship
Posted 25th April 2016
Thirty boats enjoyed classic sailing conditions at the RS200 Spring Championships held at Itchenor Sailing Club last weekend. The venue looked beautiful as ever in the bright, but chilly, spring sunshine for one of the biggest events on the RS200 Calendar.
A loose slot gasket meant that one boat never made it to the start line, but for the rest of the teams, race officer Bruce Grant did a fantastic job getting eight very efficient races away in a shifty Northerly.
Think Chichester Harbour and you think tide. It looked as though the current might be the order of the day as two thirds of the fleet was swept over in race one, resulting in an inevitable general recall. With that formality out of the way, the black flag kept most sailors in check for the rest of the day, ensuring everyone got back to the club in time for tea.
The positioning of the course across two channels meant there were a variety of routes to take up the beat and a multitude of different theories about which was best. One race in particular showed that even the locals can be fooled, with almost all of the Itchenor members hitting the left on the first beat, only to find themselves a hundred yards behind the visitors by the windward mark. However, there were clearly some gains to be made by local knowledge, as George Yeoman and Sophie Ormsby won race two and Andy Shaw and Pippa Horne won race four.
Tactically there was plenty more than the tide to think about. The breeze went steadily left for most of Saturday and oscillations (both regular and irregular) and gusts (both sudden and sustained) gave the harbour a reservoir feel. Will and Mary Henderson were the most consistent on day one with four top fives, but it was Matt Mee and Emma Norris who held the lead overnight with two firsts and a second.
Sunday was more or less identical to Saturday, with no particular side playing consistently and big gains (or losses) being made on every leg. A few people misjudging the tide and dragging buoys down the run with them, added extra drama to the mark roundings. Also local chandleries may need to stock up on gel coat for the rudders that lost their fights with anchor chains. Matt and Emma again took command on the results sheet, winning the event with a race to spare. Second to ninth were separated by just 14 points, which is testament to the high quality close racing that are the trademarks of Itchenor and RS200 sailing in general.
Results:
1st Burghfield SC/Red Wharf Bay (Matt Mee and Emma Norris)
2nd Itchenor SC (Will And Mary Henderson)
3rd Itchenor SC (George Yeoman and Sophie Ormsby)
Izzy Davies and Gemma Keers win the RYA Youth National Championships.
Posted 9th April 2016
Many congratulations to Izzy and to Gemma on winning the International 420 class in the RYA Youth National Championships at Pwllhelli.
Gemma Keers and Izzy Davies won the RYA national Youth Championships in their 420. Our Itchenor girls came up through the ranks of Junior Fortnight in Mirrors, Schools' Week in 420s and fevas and are now pursuing their sailing achievements on the national and world stage. Not only were they the first all-girl boat they also beat all the boys in the Youth Championship. The Youth Championships is the blue ribbon event of the RYA youth programme. It is the final event of a 22 race series over a six week selection period to represent GBR in the summer. Gemma and Izzy also added to their success at the youth championship by also winning the selector series making them the Number One 420 GBR boat currently. They will now go on to represent GBR at the World Championships in San Remo and then on to Lake Banetine for the Junior European Championships. Izzy's twin sister also did well at the youths and selectors and has also been selected to represent GBR in the summer in Italy.
Two other sailors from Itchenor Joanna Kalderon and Paddy Jefferies put up a great fight and narrowly missed selection by a couple of places in the boys/ open fleet.
Izzy Davies said "Gemma and I value so much those early racing days at Itchenor and junior fortnight. We are now looking forward to helping the next generation of Itchenor juniors develop and continue the great tradition the club has of producing great sailors. I couldn’t believe how many Itchenor members texted us to congratulate us...... Thank you all for your support."
CRUISING LOGS
Posted 7th April 2016
Excited to read Ant Fawcett's log of his return on Wotan to Itchenor from the Baltic in 2015? It's a good read, and you can download it here.
INTERNATIONAL 420 UPDATE
Posted 22nd March 2016
The 420 class have just held the first 2 selection events for their GBR teams for the Worlds and Junior Europeans both being held in Europe this Summer. We kicked off with the Racing Dinghies Spring championship last weekend in Torbay. Itchenor sailors were represented on 5 boats, a great turnout from the club in a 36 boat fleet which included 4 boats who travelled from Ireland. After a winter of training in strong winds in Britain, those that had decided to train in Europe benefited from their light wind experience for it was a very light and shifty weekend, but with bright sunshine. Eleanor Keers and Issy Pugh were first under 17 girls outside prizes.
For more information see http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/188363/420-Spring-Championship
The following weekend was the Fernhurst books Inland Championships, held at Draycote Water SC. 45 boats competed. Saturday brought some decent winds, albeit freezing, from the East. Sunday was again light and shifty. Isabel Davies and Gemma Keers played the shifts well, and after a couple of firsts came away as second overall and second girl boat. Eleanor Keers and Issy Pugh strengthened their position for a place in the under 17 worlds by repeating their win of first under 17 girls outside prizes.
The others from Itchenor, Katie Davies, Paddy Jeffries and Jo Kalderon now have all to play for as they go into the last selection event for the teams, the RYA Youth Championships in Pwllheli in a couple of weeks.
Tod Anstee sponsors ISC for a second year
Posted 16th march 2016
We are delighted to welcome Tod Anstee back as sponsors again this year ahead of our 2016 season. The firm of local estate agents will be sponsoring the Itchenor Sailing Club ferry and we are hugely grateful for their on-going support. Having joined Itchenor Sailing Club in 1995, partner John Anstee is a passionate supporter of ours.
John previously worked in South West London for a leading firm of chartered surveyors before relocating to Chichester and co-forming Tod Anstee LLP in 2009 with Sam Tod. Their ambition was to create a trustworthy market-leading family firm that focused on being personable but bold.
Tod Anstee has since become renowned for their great customer service, passion for the region, and the good honest advice they provide their vendors, purchasers, landlords and tenants – making them the perfect fit for our Club!
We would like to welcome the Tod Anstee team on board once again and look forward to seeing them throughout the 2016 season.
RYA National Team Racing Championship
Birdham Bandits WIN Prince Philip Trophy
Posted 14th March 2016
Birdham Bandits, entered as an Itchenor SC team, swept the board to win this prestigious trophy without losing a race. The first day at Bough Beech SC produced only sunshine and a total absence of wind enabling competitors and officials to enjoy the rugby, but the second day produced perfect team racing conditions. After an 0830 first race start, 124 races were sailed with a shifty, gusty and cold northerly wind. In the seeded qualifying stage, the Bandits finished every race with a 1 and 2 position to move easily into the 8 team gold league. Here only the Oxford & Cambridge Sailing Society team got within one place of beating the Bandits. The Royal Thames Blue team lost only to the Bandits and these two then contested a 'first to two wins' final which the Bandits won conclusively.
Birdham Bandits (see photo)
George Yeoman, Sam Littlejohn and Tim Saxton; crewed by Sophie Ormsby, Toby Lewis and Poppy Maxwell, plus a few others as Tim's regular crew was unavaliable at the last minute.
Other teams with ISC representation were
Royal Thames Blue (Arthur Henderson and other ex-Cambridge team) who were runners-up to the Bandits
SSCM (Olly Sloper) 2nd in the silver league
Southampton Red (Mary Henderson) 4th in the silver league
Itchenor (Rob Struckett, Rob Gullan and Andy Shaw) 5th in the silver league
My apologies to anyone I have missed.
A further report is at www.teamracing.org and full results are at http://www.events.ksail.co.uk/2016/uktra/index.html
Itchenor members turned up in force ....
Posted 18th February 2016
Itchenor members turned up in force at the Wessex Winter Warmer team racing event at Spinnaker on February 13th and 14th.
- The Itchenor Sailing Club team was made up of Andy Shaw and Pippa Horne, Rob Struckett and Rosie Sibthorp, and Simon Shaw and Ita Maude Wooller.
- “Birdham Bandits” were George Yeoman and Sophie Ormsby, Tim Saxton and Holly Scott, and Sam Littlejohn and Kate Devereux;
- Cathy Marsden was sailing for “Bristol Young Old Boys” (BYOB);
- Olly Sloper and Ed Fitzgerald were sailing for “Softly Softly Catchy Monkey” (SSCM);
- Izzy Fitzgerald was sailing for Exeter University;
- Mary Henderson had been called in to sail for Cambridge University.
Sunday arrived with what Spinnaker is known for - a shifty eight knots and sunshine. The racing was much closer with no easy races due to the fleet split, however SSCM managed to bounce back from their near miss with Gold fleet to take the top spot in Silver, only losing one race, and earning a place in the repechage against 4th in Gold. In the Gold league Birdham Bandits and BYOB were joint top with 7 wins out of 8 with Birdham Bandits taking 1st on count back, booking them both places in the semis. Itchenor and Cambridge had less good days with Itchenor being caught out by the famous Spinnaker shifts on the last beat whilst looking good for an important win against Oxford & Cambridge Sailing Society (Society), which saw a Society boat lay the finish from mark four, and did not make the semis.
In the repechage SSCM faced Exeter and eventually went down 2-0 in a close set of races. This meant Birdham Bandits would race Exeter and BYOB would race Society. Both of them were settled 2-0 with Birdham Bandits and BYOB going through to the final.
The best of five final was run in a nice force three. Birdham Bandits were dominant on the starts taking the final 3-0 and having to hold off strong fight backs from BYOB. The shifty conditions allowed lots of opportunities for both teams to come back into races from what looked like losing positions with Birdham Bandits managing to close out the final beats taking every races 1,2,4 and win the Wessex Winter Warmer.
Southampton University took drone video footage of the final races, Birdham in the White boats and BYOB in the Red boats:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hY6_mZYiqI
(Birdham Bandits: Tim Saxton, Holly Scott, Sophie Ormsby, Sam Littlejohn, George Yeoman and Kate Devereux).
With all of these team members looking to enter the UK Open Championships, the Wilson Trophy, it is encouraging to see the strong pool of team racing talent Itchenor currently has. With “Wessex Exempt” (Ben Ainsworth, Kate Gibbs, Jon Pinner, Tom Heywood and Alexa Pinner) taking a holiday for the weekend there could be another Wilson win for Itchenor members.
Cruising Dinghies and training available
Itchenor Sailing Club has introduced two new offerings for sailors and would be sailors of all ages. The club has “family friendly” dinghies available for those who wish to cruise the beautiful waters of Chichester Harbour. Training is also available from RYA qualified instructors for those who wish to learn to sail or hone their existing skills. Chris Blevins, rear commodore (sailing) at Itchenor says: “Whilst the club is well known as a premiere racing club and our cruising members can be found making voyages to the Americas and the Arctic Circle, we have recognised a demand for a more gentle form of sailing. Hence the introduction of cruising dinghies.”
Suitable for adults, children or family groups, a RS Vision and a 2000 are on the stage at Itchenor ready for the water. Access to the water is possible at all states of the tide from the club. Members can book one of these dinghies, and some training if required, through George Rice, Sailing Manager at Itchenor Sailing Club on 01243 512400.
