Comet Open Bexhill on Sea Sunday 11 July 2010

Eight Comets in total took to the water in bright and breezy conditions for a classic Olympic course of triangle-sausage-triangle. Two races were run back to back, with a break ashore for some much needed refuelling, followed by two races back to back in the afternoon.

The wind, Four 4 gusting 5 on the Clubhouse anemometer, was a fairly steady south westerly, and gave exciting conditions as the waves began to increrase.

Seven Comets sailed the first race, getting off well from a pitching committee boat start with John Windibank (858) leading the fleet home, closely followed by Chris Robinson, (63) who wisely decided not to expose his new Comet to the Bexhill pebbles.

Local sailor Ken Wyatt (580 Mino) decided enough was enough, leaving six dinghies to compete in Race 2, with the same result and placements throughout the fleet as the previous race.

For the afternoon races the wind stayed around F4 from the south west, with building and choppy seas. The morning sailors were joined by local sailor Keith Done (155 Mino). (And briefly by the writer (Xtra 863), who found the experience exhilarating but terrifying and made a quick dash back to shore).

The by now traditional placements continued with John Windibank consistently leading Chris Robinson, Michael Ettershank (84), Jeffrey Smith (31), Neil Smith (Xtra 534) and Barry O’Herlily (247 Mino) home.

Race 4 saw Jeffrey Smith finish in 3^rd place, but this made no difference to the overall placements, with John Windibank a worthy winner, Chris second and Michael third.

The prizes were presented by Geoff Furlongh, BSC Commodore, and a very gracious thank you speech given by John.

Overall Results:

1^st John Windibank (858) (Chipstead SC)

2^nd Chris Robinson ( 63) (Burghfield SC)

3^rd Michael Ettershank (84) (Eyott SC)

First BSC Sailor Neil Smith (Xtra 534)