Under the expert guidance of Class Chair and longstanding Itchenor Sailing Club member Piers Shepherd, acting as PRO, the GBR 420 fleet enjoyed a superb opening day of racing.
Four races were completed on Saturday in sparkling autumn conditions, with sunshine overhead and a steady 10-12 knots of breeze filling Chichester Harbour.
In place of the usual 420 championship courses, competitors were treated to a special Itchenor zig-zag layout, cleverly designed to work with the day's tide and wind direction. The format kept sailors on their toes, rewarding sharp tactical thinking and precise boat handling. With the harbour at its best, the fleet revelled in what can only be described as champagne sailing — bright skies, flat water, and just enough breeze to make the racing tactical yet fast.
Sadly, Sunday brought a different story. Despite the race team's best efforts to find a sailable window, the wind never materialised, and racing was abandoned for the day. The four races from Saturday would therefore decide the weekend's honours.
As ever, Itchenor Sailing Club delivered its trademark hospitality. Club members volunteered as rescue crews, ensuring safety cover was seamless, while the bar and buttery kept sailors, parents, and supporters well fed and watered throughout the weekend.
Saturday evening saw the 420 sailors swap sailing gear for black tie, gathering for a sumptuous dinner in the clubhouse. The night concluded with a lively disco, where the dance floor was as busy as the start line had been earlier in the day.
The evening was shared with Itchenor's Swallow sailors and the 420 class was extremely grateful to the efforts that Itchenor went to accommodate the class.
While the lack of wind on Sunday was a disappointment, the quality of Saturday's racing more than made up for it. The combination of a well-run race programme, inventive course setting, and the welcoming spirit of Itchenor Sailing Club made this a memorable event for the GBR 420 Class. With emerging young talent mixing it with seasoned campaigners, the future of the 420 fleet looks bright.
It was fantastic to see sailors travelling from across the country to Itchenor — from Hollingworth Lake and Budworth in the North, to West Kirby and Cardiff Bay, all the way down to Restronguet — alongside a strong contingent from Chichester Harbour.
A final thanks to our class sponsors Gill Marine and Xtremity.
Overall Results:
Pos Sail No Bow No Helm Crew Club Category R1 R2 R3 R4 Pts
1st 54379 69 marsbar marsden Olivia Creasy West Kirby SC Open MIxed ‑4 1 1 1 3
2nd 56954 63 Sabine Potter Merle Nieuwland Warsash SC/CBYC Open Female 1 ‑6 3 2 6
3rd 54483 29 Patrick Bromilow Thomas Kelsall West Kirby SC Open Male 3 2 ‑7 3 8
4th 57701 48 Hugo Fletcher Alex Flint Royal Southern YC/Royal Varuna YC Open Male 5 4 4 ‑8 13
5th 57477 45 Harry George Ralph Cawthorne Lymington Town SC/Shustoke SC Open Male 2 ‑12 8 4 14
6th 52916 76 Rupert Garlick Freddie Jones Itchenor SC/Chichester YC U17 Male 6 ‑11 2 7 15
7th 57224 12 Pippa Shepherd Lauren Mecklenburgh Itchenor /Bosham SC U17 Female 11 ‑14 5 5 21
8th 57411 32 Isla Fletcher India Eastwood Royal Southern YC/Itchenor SC Open Female 7 3 13 (DNC) 23
9th 56943 33 Laragh Epstein Charlie Howard CBYC/Burghfield SC Open MIxed 8 5 ‑11 11 24
10th 57499 68 Jessica Skelding Zach Aziz Winsford Flash SC/Draycote Water SC Open MIxed 9 7 10 ‑12 26
11th 56467 99 Arthur Greaves Nia Mecklenburg Lymington Town SC Open MIxed 13 8 6 (BFD) 27
12th 57502 54 Tabitha Davies Zac Shepherd R Lym YC/Trearddur Bay SC/Itchenor /Bos Open MIxed ‑10 9 9 9 27
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