Hornet Hornet Open Sandwich 2007

In a north `easterly force 4 with waves breaking onto the beach.

Competitors gathered on the beach waiting for the waves to ease so they could launch.
Eric and Jane launched 2178 through the surf with the aid of a strong push from Stangler
The rest soon followed, some launching to the North of the slipway didn’t power up soon enough and ended back on the slipway. Carlo and Vim from Holland again didn’t power up soon enough and were dumped unceremoniously back onto the beach where they stayed for the rest of the day! Duncan in Still Buzzin remained on the beach thinking discretion was the best part of valour.

Race 1
Started promptly on time catching some competitors unaware – although Pippa and Jo were sitting on top of their boat with a trashed mast beneath in Harry Ashworth got off to a good start followed by Eric Styles and Eric Marchbanks, the rest of the fleet were somewhat behind the line.
Dean and Martin sailing 2170 managed to capsize up the 1st beat as they tacked for the windward mark (apparently the main sheet cleated all by itself!!!!) As the race proceed, Strangler & Alex managed to pull through to 3rd place meanwhile Eric and Jane had problems taking the kite down and ditched the boat at the leeward mark. At the end of the race it was Harry Ashworth crewed by Wayne Hancock from Eric Styles with Strangler 3rd

Race 2
Strangler lead to the last wing mark when they hooked the spinnaker sheets around the boom, Harry slipped by but was only just ahead at the leeward mark and he managed to stay ahead to the finish with Strangler & Alex second with Mark and Clinton Styles in 3rd place.
Further back the action took place with Eric Styles pulling his kicker strap out of the boom and Steve Cooke doing a valiant job of keeping his Hornet upright with spinnaker up when his crew Alistair McHardy decided to jump ship before spectacularly broaching and ending up tangled in his ropes beside his boat in the water.

Race 3
The sea had flattened over night and the wind was steady
Pippa and Jo had swopped boats, and borrowed 2170 complete with borrowed mast from Eric Styles, this rejuvenated them into a first class start, however by the 1st mark Harry Ashworth rounded 1st with Steve Cooke in hot pursuit, by end of the lap Strangler had passed two boats in a few hundred yards by going inshore against the tide to lead with Eric Styles following ahead of Harry, meanwhile Mark and Clinton had trawled their spinnaker and were down the pan. Carlo and Vim were following the fleet in last place. At the finish Strangler held his lead with Harry 2nd and Steve Cooke had pulled up into 3rd place.

Race 4
The wind shifted dramatically part way up the 1st beat to the west enabling those at the committee boat end of the start line to lay the windward mark in one, the committee realising that the wind was dropping and veering all over the place decided as the start had been fair to let the race continue, Strangler had a decent lead as they came up to the finish of the race which was stopped after one lap. Steve Cooke came second with Harry Ashworth 3rd and the Dutch sailing very well to come in 4th. Further back Jo and Pipa were having a battle Duncan from Herne Bay in “Still Buzzing” which they lost at the end. New to Hornet opens from Herne Bay Barry Dock and James Woodward were sailing consistently.

Race 5
With the wind dying the race started with Harry taking an early lead and Strangler down the pan in 5th place but needing to beat Harry to win overall.
In the final analysis Strangler failed to catch Harry and the results for the race ended up Harry 1st, Strangler 2nd and Steve Cooke 3rd.

Overall
1st 2156 Harry Ashworth and Wayne Hancock
2nd 2132 Strangler and Alex Rogers
3rd 2081 Mark and Clinton Styles

Thanks to Sandwich Bay for their ongoing hospitality, free camping superb barbeque and food throughout the event. Good on water management from committee boat starts