The 2021 Swallow Championships were hosted by Itchenor Sailing Club over the weekend of 31/1st August with a covid-respectable fleet of 15 boats enjoying extremely competitive racing in Hayling Bay.
The Swallow is currently enjoying a bit of a renaissance with several previously resting boats back racing this year and, with many of the competitors being ex dinghy racers of note, the competition was as fierce as ever.
For race one the race officer Ian MacDonald Smith laid a windward/leeward course in a shifting 10 knot westerly and it was Osprey, (James Hartley, Rob Sutherland, and Miles Palmer) first out of the blocks with the win. Another ex Int14 Champion Jonathan Pudney in Spectre made an early showing but it was recent championship winner Marengo (Carolyn Brigg, David Sloper, and Philip Pascall) second in the end with Gwaihir (Mike Wigmore, Charles Hyatt, and Keith Bliss) third. In race two, after a general recall, the defending champion Skua (Harry Roome, Prue Roome, and Tim Barker) sailed a perfect first beat and windward mark layline and was never to be caught. In the last race of the day, it was a newcomer to the front of the championship fleet in recent years Svala, sailed by Nigel Masding, Hugo Fisher and Richard House, that secured the win. Osprey were second again, by now building a solid series score.
With a few sore heads after an excellent evening the night before, Sunday brought a similar wind direction but less of it. Thank goodness for the Swallow’s waterline length and soft lines to deal with the left over chop in a breeze which was seldom more than six knots all day, and often less. Marengo were on their usual light air form in race four and led from the start but were eventually caught by the team in Osprey at the last mark. Their second win securing them the 2021 Championship with a race to spare. Cockersoottie, (Charles Prescot, Simon Hamlyn, and Mimie Currey) scored a notable third.
So, the scene was set for a final decider for the runner up spot. Four boats went into the last race with nine points, or ten and a race win, so it was all to play for. No double points required in this medal race to make it a nail biter. With the tide now stronger, and the wind lighter, the start line became a hazard on its own but it was the four protagonists who were in the end the best away. Svala judged the tidal cross for the spreader mark best and was gone for their second race win giving them second overall. Marengo and Gwaihir changed places for the rest of the race with Marengo taking it at the last mark to complete the podium.
Next year’s event will avoid the clash with Cowes Week and some local events so look forward to a fleet of 20 boats for that event. The great thing with a national class where most of the sailing is in one area is that the racing will be just as good next week, next month and next season.
Full results are HERE
First call for the Tony Bridgewater Trophy weekend.
We are looking forward to the inaugural Tony Bridgewater weekend on 28/29 August. 4 races (at the normal times). Three to count.
On the Saturday evening (27th) There will be Drinks at Westlands Holt, c/o Mike & Debbie from 18:15. More details to follow but one for the diary, and if you can make it please let Carolyn Brigg know asap so she can co-ordinate this and advise you of all relevant details nearer the time.
New Build Fund – Update from Jon Perry
A brief message to update you on the proposed new Swallow Build Programme.
Overall £28,000 has been raised from members which is sufficient to cover the
contract cost of the build excluding fittings, rig and sails. Our thanks to all those
who contributed.
The Builder was advised against a contract party comprising a group of individuals
for understandable reasons. Forming a company to undertake the purchase was
considered but requires needless red tape, appointing Directors, accounts,
reporting to Companies House etc. etc. Instead George Miller and I will act as
the contracting parties for the purposes of the Contract on behalf of the Swallow
New Build Funding Group.
This makes no practical difference to the arrangements as the funds will be drawn down from the discrete fund held by the Swallow Class as envisaged at the outset. We would have been the signatories on behalf of the group in any event.
The moulds have been revived and are now fit for purpose. The contract, in which
Mike Wigmore has been closely involved and which he has approved, has been
signed and the first stage payment has been paid.
Mike in particular and other members have put in a mountain of effort to get us to
this stage. We now lean on Mike again to liaise with David Heritage throughout the
build to ensure the process stays on track. Many thanks Mike from your fellow
members.
If anyone has any questions please email them to Mike, George, Carolyn and to
me. Between us we should have answers! In the meantime there are two
potential buyers whom we will follow up and others whom I hope we members can
introduce. First come, first served.
We are confident that David will build a superb boat and at the same time leave
build plans and detail which establish the strict criteria for future builds.
Meanwhile
The Whim Trophy concludes and the RIP series starts. The RIP will consist 6 races, 4 to count, all within the current month. The RIP was originally a Firefly Trophy, perhaps named after a dinghy of the same name rather than someone’s demise. John Tagg writes …
“The R.I.P. was a Firefly open meeting trophy and held on the same weekend as the Itchenor Burgee. It was the Saturday race with the Burgee on Sunday. The latter was Itchenor’s prime Firefly trophy so the weekend produced a good turnout of visitors I seem to recall numbers in the 40 plus area. I think I put my name on it as well as the Burgee before I became a member, then Laleham SC, so I recall wandering around the harbour on my first visit trying to follow someone who was local!”
And finally…
SW.ITCHed on! No bluffing! We are delighted to hear that Austen, Clare and Paul have all applied for membership of ISC and we very much look forward to seeing more of them.