Event: Musto Skiff Open, Itchenor SC
Date: 6/7 November 2021
Report by Robbie Wilson
What a great weekend of sailing at Itchenor SC, which was a late but rewarding addition to the Musto Skiff Southern Series, attracting 14 entries to enjoy the racing in Chichester Harbour.
I was down for the event on the back of a holiday in Weymouth the week before, so I managed to get in some racing and join some ‘training’ with the southerners. And I’m very glad that I did – what a top weekend!!
Here’s my account of how the weekend unfolded…
Saturday - Race Day 1
For the first race, I managed to have some good speed and hooked into a tide line to get a good lead after the first lap; pulling away from the usual hot shots of Andy (Turbo), Pete, and Dan. After the first lap of the first race, I was starting to tire and my fitness was showing – but luckily, I managed to hold on, with Pete powering through to second, and Andy in third.
The breeze and waves pumped up slightly after the first race, and with the tide changing, boat handling suddenly got a lot harder downwind. Pete and Dan didn’t seem to realise this and flew round the course in the next two races with the rest of us dodging bullet waves and having a few swims.
It was brilliant sailing, but pretty tough on the fitness. The fleet definitely wasn’t up for doing a fourth race, with most of us ready for a run home and a relaxing sail back in after a fine day, just like swallows and Amazons … or so we thought!
The tide had turned, and the wind was stronger than the sheltered trip on the way out. We were all in for stand-up waves, pitchpoles, and a washing machine ride home. Some big sighs were heard when reaching the shore. A tough but rewarding day!
Sunday - Race Day 2
We woke up to a sunny day, 15 kts, gusting 30. We were in for a treat. First race of the day and Dan took the lead for the first two laps. He looked like he was all set to take the win, but by the third lap, Pete nipped through the small fleet with some great racing and stole the win from Dan, who was closely followed by Andy.
Race 2 and the wind had swung more to north, and with the tide changing and the wind definitely up, the waves were now pretty tricky to work with. Dan, sailing brilliantly and with good pace, was leading again and keeping Pete honest with me close behind watching all the action. The race finished up with Pete in first, followed by Dan and Robbie, all within 50m of each other. Rich Pelley was close behind with a fast finish in fourth place.
Overall Results
Pete Greenhalgh was the well-deserved winner for the weekend, pushed hard by Dan Vincent, who finished in a respectable second place. I was well chuffed (but totally broken!) to finish up in third and get a prize for the furthest travelled.
Brilliant weekend of racing in Chichester Harbour, and a very friendly club. Really great hospitality with a good race team. Big thanks to Itchenor SC. Everyone had a blast, so we need to do it again soon!
Anyone looking to demo a Musto Skiff with a view to getting one in the future, please get in touch with the class through the GBR Facebook Group, and we can help organise this. It’s a brill, friendly class, and a great, fun boat to sail and race.
Photo credits: © Robin Pascal. 2021
