Cracking event out in the bay at Parkstone, a proper breezy and sunny open meeting!

West Country Boat Repairs SW Ugly Tour , Parkstone YC, 31^st May

With the forecast due to build throughout the day, and the threat of fog on the drive down, we all arrived to a warm welcome at sunny Parkstone Yacht Club.

We made our way out into the bay, navigating various ferries! Sun was shining down the course along with 10 knots of breeze. Fleet got off to a clean start, despite heavy crowding at the starboard end, Ian Martin and Ben Whaley led the fleet (something they would make a habit of). The locals, Richard and Eliana Edwards, and Duncan and Lorna Glen, with expert knowledge and speed, completed the top three.

The second race was soon to follow, wind was gently building, hard hiking upwind yet not quite enough to plane downwind (oh how we love the 200!). A close battle at the front between Henry Hallam and Ashley Hill, with Ian and Ben bunched the top 5 boats into a photo finish. Duncan and Lorna completing the top three once again.

Wind built up for the third race along with a left shift. Proper hike off weather now! Ian and Ben lead from the front, closely followed by Jamie Harris and Zoe Nieveen. The key was staying on the plane downwind using the gusts and waves to make the most. Henry and Ashley rounded out the top three.

Gusts between 15 and 20 knots, fuelled by the last remaining chocolate bars and sweets, the teams geared up for a breezy final race. Ian and Ben's speed proving once again too much for the fleet, completing the perfect set of bullets! Jamie and Zoe were hot in pursuit until a trip to see the fishes saw them slip back and recover to third place. Henry and Ashley making the most of Jamie and Zoe’s swim securing second in the race and in the event.

Finishing up with a beer for tallying in and a huge spread of cakes with prize giving (take note all other sailing clubs!). Overall, a cracking event out in the bay, a proper breezy and sunny open meeting! Huge thanks to the race committee, Parkstone Yacht Club and all the helpers for a superb Saturday.

Next event on the West Country Boat Repairs SW ugly Tour is Bowmoor, combined with our RS200 Masters Championship on the 28th June, before Restronguet and Lymington on the 5/6th and 19/20th July respectively.

We also have the Rooster Championship Tour Summer Champs coming up at Warsash SC on 21/22nd June - looking forward to seeing as many Westcountry and South West boats there as possible!

Jamie Harris and Zoe Nieveen

Full results and photos thanks to Yvonne at Parkstone YC and Will Taylor here