Thorpe Bay Yacht Club

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The Sandhopper open was combined this year with the TBYC regatta, 21 sandhoppers competed over the two day event consisiting of 4 races, the weather was forecast for 17mph for both days however it turned out nearer 25 with upto 38mph gusts.

The first race started in 30mph plus providing a long wave battering windward leg, windrush was first to the mark closely followed by little wing and sand star, the dead run proved to be very exciting with windrush staying in top spot to take 1st positon followed by sand star in 2nd squiffy 3rd and satisfaction 4th.

The second race again was in even stronger winds, martin Bennindyke on squiffy decided to fall out of his boat on the start line with 10 seconds to go which proved interesting for others trying to miss him in the lumpy swell, again windrush lead the fleet around the windward mark only to be overtaken by sandstar on the roller coaster run, staying close together up the 2nd windward leg Paul Dell on sandstar also decided to exit his boat and gave a fantastic display of body surfing from his mainsheet and managed to climb back on board without losing a single boat length, he also did exactly the same on the other tack, as did Martin on squiffy.

sandstar managed to just pip windrush to the finish by half a boat length giving them both a 1-2 finish overnight, new boat Nemesis took a well deserved 3rd whilst satisfaction was 4th.

Day two produced just as much if not more breeze, this was welcomed by windrush who had made the tactical decision the day before to sail 3 up having aquired Paul Farrell to help bolster the lightweight Duce duo, having been advised that they would have to all be on board for the second day with a light wind forecast, the rest of the fleet had a pleasant evening barracking the windrush team, so sundays early morning wind dance paid off and a few ‘not so loud now’ competitors started to wish they had the foresight of the wise windrush helm.

Race 3 produced some excellent sailing in the testing 30-38mph breeze, an amazing performance from satisfaction took line honours with sandstar again just beating windrush by half a boat length into 2nd, little wing with David ‘3 stone’ Johnson and Peter ‘where are the toe straps?’ Thompson were 4th.

With all to play for in the last race windrush needed a first for victory as did sand star, squiffy was first to the windward mark closely followed by windrush and sandstar, the superiour skill on sandstar saw them surge into the lead on the precarious run whilst windrush managed to keep to third ready for the last battering windward leg, squiffy made a big school boy error and let 5 boats pass whilst windrush, sandstar, satisfaction, nemesis and little wing battled away, some superb sailing from apollo saw the eyre spratt team pull into second position with fantastic downwind surfing skills, with all to play for around the bottom mark the positions were so very close. sand star took first place and became the open winners, apollo took second position with satisfaction out tacking nemesis and windrush in the last hundred yards took 3rd with nemesis fourth.

With the racing over and everyone battered and bruised the final results were, 1st Paul and Mark Dell in sandstar, 2nd Barry & Mike duce, and Paul farrell in windrush, 3rd Phil Crawford and Magaret kennedy in satisfaction, 4th Martyn Eyer and Paul Spratt in Apollo.

Many smiling faces were at the presentation with stories being told of the great two day event, thanks from all go to the race officer and his team along with the rescue support crews, also a special mention of thanks to  Paul  Spratt who  was up very early sorting out anchors and race marks along with a whole host of other jobs.

Hyde sails sponsored the event prizes which were very well received.

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