Chichester Scow National Championship 2024 at Bosham Sailing Club

Fiona MacFarlane wins the Chichester Scow National Championship at Bosham © Patrick Disney

A 17 strong fleet of Chichester Scows contested their National Championships at Bosham over the weekend of the 13th and 14th July.

The programme consisted of four races over the two days based down the Bosham channel at the Cobnor club line with the racing taking place in the main part of the very picturesque Chichester Harbour.

Conditions for the first race were ideal with a 6-8 mph south westerly and unbroken sunshine. Jennifer Eldridge (CS45) took an early lead which she held to the last turning mark.

However, on the short beat to the finish, she sailed too far into the flooding tide and lost two places to Judy Roberts (CS47) and Fiona Macfarlane (CS73).

In race two the sea breeze arrived, and the wind gradually increased to 15 mph. Izzie Lee (CS51) made the best start on the Cobnor side of the Channel and swept into a big lead by the first turning mark.

However, on the long close fetch to the Wear mark, with the increase in the wind, she sagged down below the line to the next buoy which allowed Fiona to substantially reduce her lead. Izzie managed to just hold on up the next beat, but Fiona caught her at the end of the long run back to Cobnor and rounded the last turning mark with a narrow lead.

These two then had a tacking duel up the last beat against the tide to the finish. Just before the finish line, Izzie judged her tack to perfection and bore down to the line to win by less than half a boat length. Third place was David Macfarlane (CS27).

So, after the first day's racing Fiona held a strong overall lead with 4 pts followed by Judy with 7 pts and Jennifer on 8 pts.

On Saturday evening the competitors enjoyed a delicious finger buffet provided by the Scow Association Committee.

Sunday dawned a little overcast but with a positive 6-8mph forecast. Fiona elected to sail a long leg from the leeward end of the line and by the time she tacked for the first mark she had established a large lead over Izzie and David.

Fiona held her lead to win from Izzie and Judy who managed to overtake David on the long run to the finish.

For the 4th and final race the Bosham Scow class captain Mary Brooke (CS9), led at the 1st mark from Fiona and David. Fiona showed great boat speed on the fetch to the next mark and managed to overtake Mary, whilst Izzie powered through David into 3rd place.

These positions remained the same all the way to the finish giving Fiona her second win of the day and securing first place overall.

Before the prize-giving all the competitors enjoyed a magnificent tea organised by Pam Sweet and her team.

Thanks must go to Alastair Seaton the RO and his team for laying on a faultless series of races.

Overall Results: