Quay West Chandlers Autumn Yacht Regatta at Parkstone Yacht Club
by Keith Lovett 9 Oct 22:56 NZDT
5-6 October 2024
Over the weekend 5th and 6th October 2024, Parkstone Yacht Club hosted its now regular open Autumn yacht racing regatta with a 5-race series, over the two days for yachts racing under IRC and VPRS within Poole Bay.
17 boats, representing 5 clubs, over two fleets ranging from Phil Cottons stunning Cal 40 'Breeze' in the IRC fleet to Simon Flacks equally well presented Folkboat 'Stralende' in VPRS and a diverse variety in between.
Saturday 5th October
The fleet heading out of Poole Harbour were met with what can best be described as boisterous conditions, wind in the 20 plus knot range and significant waves, challenging for many of the smaller boats competing, rolling in on a predominantly southerly wind.
Andrew Pearce race officer for the weekend, utilising Parkstone Yacht Club's; Golden Dolphin committee boat, initially set a start line close to the Sandbanks peninsular. However, with a wind change moved slightly further offshore for the start of the first windward - leeward course.
In the IRC Class, Sam Pearson helming the Dehler 33 - Ruthless was soon making the running, revelling in the conditions.
In VPRS, the largest boat in the fleet Rob Gibson's, First 40.7 - Addiction, breaking away.
Ruthless leading on the water to take both line honours and the win. In contrast the VPRS fleet saw Oliver Nuttall's, Pogo 8.5 - L' Adventure securing line hours but one of the smallest boats in the fleet Stralende winning on corrected time.
Race two and Andrew Pearce providing slight variation with, with a triangle / sausage course, a slight increases in wind strength. Both Ruthless and Stralende securing their second wins of the day.
For the final third race of the day, an interesting tour utilising all of Poole Bay followed, sending both fleets on a long beat to the Magnum race mark. Increasing large waves testing many, yet again Ruthless leading the way in IRC and the little Folkboat Stralende coping with the conditions admirably, following the fleet home on a course leading back into the shelter of Poole Harbour but close enough to save their time, both boats securing three bullets on day one, proving their heavy weather expertise.
Sunday 6th October
With heavy cloud, slightly less wind in the 14 to 18 knot range but fortunately for many, far flatter water, welcomed the two fleets into Poole Bay for day two.
Ruthless having handed the helm over to Sophie Pearson saw a closely fought battle between the Dehler and Ian Braham's MG346. Enigma. The MG346 finishing just 30 seconds ahead of the Dehler, stretching that to convincingly win race four, under their corrected time.
Under VPRS, it was again Addiction that led the way, but not very far behind Colin Wetherall's, Contessa 32 - Binkie II able to save their time and take the win.
Following intensely close racing across both fleets the final race and rain starting to set in, the IRC class saw a repeat of the Ruthesss, Enigma battle continue. An almost identical 30 second lead to Enigma on the water and their second win. Giving Ruthless the overall win by just one point, a testimony to just how close the racing had been.
In VPRS, it was Stralende securing their 4th win of the weekend by just one second on corrected time to Stuart Bowers, Impala, Nyala.
A convincing win for Simon Flack and his crew, with the first five boats in VPRS all competing the short series with a few points of each other, again close racing enjoyed by all.
Heading back to Parkstone Yacht Club, to avoid a deluge competitors enjoyed a prize-giving courtesy of Quay West Chandlers, class winners also taking home a well-received bottle, thanks to Salcombe Gin.
Andrew Pearce and his race team organised a professional and well managed event, overseeing proceedings.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Boat | Sail No | Helm | TCC | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | Pts |
|---|
| IRC Class |
|---|
| 1st | Ruthless | 9633 | Sam & Sophie Pearson | 0.962 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ‑2 | 2 | 5 |
| 2nd | Enigma | 4365 | Ian Braham | 0.94 | ‑2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| 3rd | Breeze | 1866 | Phil Cotton | 0.947 | ‑3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 12 |
| 4th | Cara | 2943 | | 0.95 | 4 | 4 | 4 | (DNC) | RTD | 17 |
| 5th | Larrikin | 7911 | | 0.926 | 5 | 6 | RTD | (DNC) | DNC | 25 |
| 6th | Who's Next | NED115 | Ed Wilton | 118 | RTD | 5 | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | 28 |
| 7th | Energy | 6525 | Paul Freeman | 0.946 | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 32 |
| VPRS Class |
|---|
| 1st | Stralende | 652 | Simon Flack | 0.781 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ‑2 | 1 | 4 |
| 2nd | Binkie II | GBR 3419 | Colin Wetherall | 0.862 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | ‑4 | 7 |
| 3rd | Nyala | 9553 | Stuart Bowen | 0.885 | ‑5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 13 |
| 4th | L'Adventure II | 4669 | Oliver Nuttall | 0.945 | 3 | ‑6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 15 |
| 5th | QT | 1972 | Keith Lovett | 0.834 | 4 | 3 | 3 | ‑5 | 5 | 15 |
| 6th | Toroa | 7750 | Colin Stewart | 0.861 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 8 | ‑9 | 25 |
| 7th | Patriot Games | 9503 | Martyn Bright | 0.882 | ‑7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 27 |
| 8th | Moonshadow | 277 | | 0.941 | ‑10 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 32 |
| 9th | Freebird | 1371 | Shaun Kerwick | 0.949 | 8 | ‑9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 33 |
| 10th | Addiction | 9859 | Rob Gibson | 15 | 9 | 8 | ‑10 | 10 | 10 | 37 |