Chipmates Mid-Summer Regatta at Chipstead Sailing Club
by Simon Gillow & Rebecca Asker 2 Jul 18:17 NZST
29 June 2024
Chipmates, the Junior Class at Chipstead SC, held a successful mid-summer regatta on 29th June 2024. With 67 boats registered for the morning and a tight schedule planned for the day, it was decided to push on for a 10am start despite the distinct lack of wind.
It was to be a theme for the day, the wind arriving in fits and starts with the club weather meter measuring winds averaging about 3mph and reaching a maximum of 10mph.
The main fleet got under way with Daniel in his Laser making the best of a puff in the early stages of the race to pull out a good lead over the slower boats, he was followed by Jim in his Radial and then a tussle between the 3 Toppers of Jonathan S, Harry T and Harry D. Lead Optimists, Adam and Sophie sailed as if attached by elastic - the gap between them bouncing back and forwards as they found the puffs and wind holes. The regatta fleet was led by two of New Beacon School's Teras, Lucas and Charlie P who made the best of the conditions followed by Optimists James and Amy who did a good job of making sure the faster boats didn't pull too far ahead of them. Results for race 1 saw James take the bullet followed by the Teras.
Race 2 ran back to back with the first race and started in what was possibly the biggest puff of the day. As before, Daniel managed to extend a good lead, navigating well through the large packs of slower boats without challenge. The chasing pack saw a close battle between Toppers Jonathan S, Evie, Mim, Amelia, Harry T and Harry D, who all finished within 40 seconds of each other, Amelia (Tonbridge Town SC) just pipping the others on the line. Meanwhile, Adam once again made sure the Toppers didn't get too far ahead of him and managed to take 2nd on handicap. Overall results for the morning saw Daniel win the main fleet with Adam second and Jonathan S (Tonbridge Town SC) in third. In the Regatta fleet, new racer James in the Optimist won overall, the consistency of birthday boy Giacomo rewarded with second place and Charlie P in third.
Meanwhile, after being towed to the far end of the lake, the Optimist Beginner fleet of ten children who started sailing this season (some only a couple of weeks ago!) took part in a series of activities and competitive races to test their boat handling skill. Joshua came a very comfortable first with Elliott and Moisés following in second and third places respectively. The fleet was back on shore in plenty of time to be the first of the 120 who enjoyed a terrific lunchtime BBQ organised by Helen.
Keen to make the most of having the whole lake for the day, the afternoon was billed as a Double Hander Extravanganza. In addition to double handers owned by Club and visiting families, Wealden Sailability, Westerham Sea Cadets and Chipstead SC classes loaned boats for the event for which Juniors paired up with one another, parents, grandparents or siblings.
Visiting father and son pair Jonathan and Stuart (TTSC) led the first race in their Wayfarer from the outset, followed by Daniel and Ben (CSC Juniors) in a class Graduate ahead of CSC father and son duo, Jim and Mark in an RS Quest. Honor and Peter - the only daughter and dad pair - sailed their Comet Duo pretty close to the bigger boats but well-timed spinnaker use by Adam and Jenson in the Gillow Family Mirror kept them in touch with the faster boats. Race 1 was won by the Mirror with the Coopers' Comet Duo in second and the Shields' Wayfarer third. The second race was to be the lightest of the day with the wind almost disappearing towards the end leaving the Tonbridge visitors without enough wind to fill their spinnaker on the final run allowing the Graduate past. The action in this race was from the smaller boats behind the front runners; the Hansa 303s sailed by Harry and Graeme and Joshua and Fiona were the best at finding the zephyrs so took first and second respectively on handicap from the Mirror. Adam and Jenson - sailing together for the first time - were delighted to win the event (and to beat their brothers).
Whilst the wind may have been lacking, the enthusiasm of the sailors and supporters definitely wasn't! A good-sized crowd stayed on for prize-giving with many attendees dragging themselves out of the lake where they'd been making the most of a post-packing-up opportunity for a swim to feast upon delicious dinghy-themed cakes baked by Kelly. The Juniors were joined by Rear Commodore Keith Turtle who presented a fabulous range of well-received prizes provided by event sponsors c-monsta, Noble Marine, Rooster and local company Sea Clean UK.
Prize Winners:
Beginner Optimist fleet
1st - Joshua G
2nd - Elliott R
3rd - Moisés
Regatta fleet
1st overall/1st boy - James
1st girl - Alice
1st under 11 - Joe
1st CSC rookie - Giacomo
1st school sailor - Charlie P
Main fleet
1st overall/1st boy - Daniel
1st girl - Amelia
2nd boy - Adam
2nd girl - Mim
3rd boy - Jonathan S
3rd girl - Sophie S
Double Hander Extravaganza
1st overall/all boy boat - Adam & Jenson
1st all girl boat - Marine & Mia
1st sibling boat - Abbi & Sophie
1st Junior helm with an adult crew - Joshua & Fiona
1st mixed (experienced/novice) - Jonathan & Indigo