Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club Hobie Fleets Rosscot Spring series
by Gordon Burgis 6 Jun 2018 00:59 NZST
March - May 2018
RCIYC Hobie Fleets Rosscot Spring Series © Elaine Burgis
The RCIYC Hobie Fleets Rosscot Spring series came to a close last week. The eight race series which started in early March provided mostly light to moderate wind sailing conditions over the period, testing the boat handling and tactical skills, especially in the light airs, for the 25 participating teams in the various Hobie classes. There were three throw out races in the event leaving five to count for prizes.
Hobie 16 'A' Fleet
In this the largest class with 16 boats entered, only 4 points separated the top 4 teams, with two Youth teams putting in a solid challenge to the old guard. Grant Neale and Karen Larose set the pace at the beginning of the series with two wins under their belt and consistently low scores from there on. Gordon Burgis crewed by Kenny Snell managed to put themselves in contention with a first and some low pointing scores throughout the event. It was the youth teams Elsa Swetenham and Owen Harper and Elsa's sister Chloe sailing with Leo Marshall who led the charge to upset the ranking, both teams enjoyed a first place in the latter part of the event and drew on their last year's Hobie 16 Europeans and Worlds Championships sailing experience to press for the top spot.
It all came down to the final two races on the last day of racing, where Neale and Larose did enough to take the class overall by just one point from Burgis and Snell who placed second, Elsa Swetenham and Owen Harper were two points behind in third and Chloe Swetenham and Leo Marshall only one point behind them in fourth place. Luc Richard and Thomas Harris sailed well throughout the series to come fifth. Aaron le Cornu crewed by Rachael Vibert sailed into sixth place overall.
Hobie 16 'B' Fleet
Youth helm Gemma Newman crewed by John Vautier triumphed in this step up class to the 'A' fleet, narrowly winning from Peter Culnane and Clive Russell in second place.
Hobie Wildcars and Tigers
With both classes on a similar handicap racing together, It was Andy Hart and Mike Kinross on their Hobie Wildcat who won a hotly contested series, winning the Hobie 18 event by a three point margin from Adrian Jesson and Paul Martin also on a Wildcat who had applied good pressure in the tight racing, but couldn't quite get their noses in front on this occasion. Jimmy Fullerton crewed by Perry Stone on a Hobie Tiger sailed well overall with a credible third spot.
Hobie Dragoons
The Junior racing turned out to be very close in the series. It was Tom Hunt, crewed over the event by Archie de Carteret and Kyla McDonagh who set the pace and sealed top spot with a resounding four firsts and a second. Finlay Arenz sailing with Juliette Walton was just one point behind, registering a commendable three firsts giving them second. Will Dengate moving from crewing to helming his first series and crewed by Alex Cooper, performed consistently well to come third on countback from a fast improving Else Blakeley and Lena Holden, when both teams ended on equal points. The Willet brothers, Archie and Jamie also put in a good performance and were close behind in fifth place.
Prizes were presented at the RCIYC where the Race team, guard boat crews and the Beach team were thanked for their support during the series, appreciation and thanks were also extended to Duncan Stuart and Sponsors Rosscot Accountants for once more supporting this popular event in the Club's sailing calendar.