Oct 19 2008
Sandhopper final Fling
The final fling was held in testing conditions with 17 boats battling a 30 mph southerly wind for the top spot,
race officer Andrew hannah was having no nonscense with the starts and insisted on 3 of them, major culprits over on the first 2 were Alan Burrell with Paul spratt on Apollo ensuring they pushed a few over with them.
With the race underway Apollo lead with Sandstar and Satisfaction close on their heels, the entire fleet had some amazing surfing on the downwind leg with positions swapping constantly, 3 laps tested many crews with a few exhausted at the end.
Apollo took line honours with sandstar in 2nd and satisfaction 3rd, maiden voyage blue jacket with the Barnes duo put in a good performance and were awarded the ‘Golden Anchor’ for showing the rest of the fleet how to launch your kite clew first, well done Nic!! Also on their maiden voyage were messers Gibson and Wolfe who pressganged local national champion dan Henderson and put in a fantastic first race even if they did pull half their fittings out of the boat.
many of us sailed 3 up and thoroughly enjoyed the event, Steve Hopper and Peter Thompson won the cash sweepstake, whilst messers Burrell and Spratt took the sunday trophy and the much sort after final fling trophy kindly donated by Hannah and Tony Padbury.
many thanks to Andrew hannah the race officer, Tony Clarke and Peter Evens for safety support and to rupert snow for finishing behind me again for the 26th time this year.
lets hope winter passes quickly so we can continue the fun.
2 Responses to “Sandhopper final Fling”
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Great day great sail and finally great cock up Barnsey
I first started sailing many years ago, at Paglesham. My uncle had a leaky flat-bottomed tub with ancient cotton sails. One day, we set sail down river and came across the Royal Corinthian One Designs.
One of them said, “I say, old man. Do you realise your jib is upside-down?”
My uncle said, “Yes, I do. It sets better that way”!