Dell Quay sailors salvage race action
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.
Race officer Roy Dyton wisely postponed the race, waiting for the forecast breeze, and at 11.30 it suddenly kicked in, reaching a good force four by the delayed start time of 11.45.
The start line favoured the western shore under the trees and Rob Corfield plus crew (RS400) made an excellent start, rapidly pulling ahead of the fleet.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdSeries leader Bill Dawber (Solo) arrived at the first mark some distance behind Corfield, but with the RS400 of Peter King and Crew hard on his transom he couldn’t tack around the mark until the RS400 had tacked. This allowed Roger Puttock in another Solo to squeeze round the mark inside of Dawber.
Puttock proceeded to luff Dawber most of the way across the river in an attempt to prevent Dawber from overtaking. This let many of the following boats through, ahead of the battling pair.
A very close-matched race between these two continued, with Dawber maintaining a slender lead over Puttock and the pair overtaking the other boats, apart from the leading RS400s.
After handicap corrections were applied, Corfield and crew took first place, with Andy Morley (Pico) second, Dawber third and Puttock fourth.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdIn race eight Dawber led off the start line with Puttock in hot pursuit. The pair continued neck and neck around the course until the last lap when the RS400 of King tacked on top of Dawber, which was just enough to let Puttock through into a narrow lead.
The results after handicap calculations were applied left Puttock first, Dawber second and Mike Shaw (Solo) third.
This secures overall series victory for Dawber but the remaining places remain wide open with Morley and Ken Baker (Dayboat) separated by only three points. The series, which is open to all, continues on February 13 at 2pm.
ANDREW HORNE
Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking sports news where you live.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHere are four ways you can be sure you’ll be among the first to know what’s going on.
1 Make this website your homepage
2 Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Sport-Sussex
3 Follow us on Twitter @SportSussex
4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.
Share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!