Isle of Wight sailors hit the water for a busy week of racing

 

IT WAS a week of mixed racing conditions at Bembridge, as sailors competed for the Zanen Trophy.

Colin Samuelson’s Toucan led the joint fleet to the Warner on Wednesday, and Mark Grzegorczyk in No 9 was the only one-design to finish.

Had he not run into a hole off Warner, he would have likely won the trophy on handicap.

Patience and perseverance were needed the following day when the Redwings were competing for the Princessa Trophy, which demanded they race to the West Princessa cardinal mark and back.

Light winds and a 3-knot tide running against them meant it was a struggle to reach the buoy.

James Wilson in Capella II and Rory Morrison in Paroquet led the way initially, but it was Rory who managed to edge in front on the final beat.

During the club’s annual regatta at the weekend, strong, sailable breezes made for some exciting racing in both the keelboats and the dinghies.

Colin Samuelson, Joe Robertson, Noel Dobbs, Susie Beart, Hugh Doherty, Chris Gear, Harry White, Henry Saner, Henry Cook, Martyn Davies, Christian and Polly Schafer, Clive and Tone Spash, Henry Landon, Laura Watson, Paloma Crutchfield, Ella Trimble and Alex Downer all tasted victory on either the Friday or the Saturday.

On Sunday, 11 redwings and four one-designs competed at Seaview Yacht Club’s annual regatta.

Mark Downer in Enigma, who has raced off Seaview for many years, took the lead.

On Friday, Rory Morrison in Paroquet placed second, ahead of Joe Robertson in Red Gauntlet II.

As for the one-designs, Charles Perry moved into the lead after the first round, with Susie Beart finishing second.

On Monday, just seven Redwings and two one-designs raced at Seaview.

Mark Downer again led from start to finish, with Joe Robertson second, ahead of Henry Thorpe in third.

Charles Abel Smith was well ahead at the finish of the one-design race.