The final day of Bough Beech SC's Icicle Series brought mild temperatures — and, at last, a proper breeze. Race Officer Pete Young, rumoured to have flown back from overseas especially for the occasion, set an excellent figure-of-eight course that used much of the reservoir and featured a long, fast reach, much to the delight of the Conventional fleet.
With gusts into the high teens, the Conventional turnout was smaller than usual. In the opening race Neal Gibson's RS300 disappeared into the distance, finishing a full five minutes ahead of Richard Lambert's Supernova. On handicap, however, neither could hold off a trio of Bough Beech ILCA 7 sailors: Duncan Lawson took the win, followed by Elliot Marks and Sergio Mesina. Lambert placed fourth and Gibson fifth.
The final race of the series again saw the RS300 and Supernova lead home on the water, but this time Lambert — making his first appearance of the series and reinforcing his reputation for excelling in a blow — took the win. Elliot Marks secured another second place, Gibson was third, Guy Marks and Sam Boniface brought their Wayfarer through to fourth, and John Hamilton (ILCA 7) finished fifth.
Conditions suited the Bough Beech 2000s in the Asymmetric fleet. In their first race Matt and Ollie Larkin, already frequent podium visitors this winter, took their first win of the series. Jonathan and Louisa Ching were second, with Jo Field and Annabel Larkin third. The Chings reversed the result in race two, winning ahead of the Larkins, while Paul Cullen and Verity Hopkins in an RS200 took third.
So overall Series honours in the Conventional fleet went to long-time series leaders Guy Marks and Sam Boniface (Wayfarer, Bough Beech SC). Matthew Wolstenholme and Sophie Wantling (Snipe) finished second, with Wolstenholme also managing an impressive third overall in the overlapping Sailjuice Winter Series. Thanks to his pair of seconds on the final day, Elliot Marks (ILCA 7) climbed to third overall.
Paul Cullen and Verity Hopkins (2000) secured the Asymmetric Fleet title with days to spare, allowing them time to hone their RS200 campaign. Jonathan and Hayden/Louisa Ching (2000) were second overall, with Matt and Ollie Larkin (2000) third.
Despite light winds on many earlier days, the series proved a success: 120 boats, more than a quarter of them visitors, completed at least one race. Over 80 race and shore duties were carried out by club members, all sustained by the club's ever-reliable galley.
Conventional Fleet top 10:
Pos Class Helm and crew Club Pts
1 Wayfarer Guy Marks & Sam Bonniface Bough Beech SC 18
2 Snipe Matther Wolstenholme & Sophie Wantling Bough Beech SC 27
3 ILCA7 Elliot Marks Bough Beech SC 28.2
4 Solo Patrick Ward Bough Beech SC 34.8
5 Solo John Clementson Chipstead SC 38
6 RS300 Neal Gibson Bough Beech SC 45
7 Solo Jamie Clementson Chipstead SC 51
8 ILCA7 Robert Gorrod Bough Beech SC 56.6
9 Solo Richard Southern Bough Beech SC 72
10 ILCA7 Duncan Lawson Bough Beech SC 73
Asymmetric Fleet top 10:
Pos Class Helm and crew Club Pts
1 2000 Paul Cullen & Verity Hopkins Bough Beech SC 12
2 2000 Jonathan & Hayden/Louisa Ching Bough Beech SC 17
3 2000 Matt & Ollie Larkin Bough Beech SC 27
4 RS400 Jonny Moss & Rich Sheridan Bough Beech SC 28.5
5 RS200 Mike Warwicker & Kate Fitzsimmons Bough Beech SC 29.3
6 RS200 Mike Green & Oscar/Isabella Pevensey Bay SC 39
7 RS200 Andrew Barnet & Lynne Ratcliffe Island Barn SC & Bough Beech SC 47
8 RS400 Mick & Sarah Whitmore Eastbourne Sovereign SC 53
9 RS100 Colin Hatton Bough Beech SC 78.4
10 RS200 Sebastian Robb & Lara Dyer Downs SC 82
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