Sunshine
and mild temperatures greeted the competitors that arrived at Parkstone Yacht
Club on Saturday 7th March for the Parkstone 420 Open Meeting. Despite the fact
that the Race Officer, Simon Flack, had been given a brief to get in five races
and be ashore by 16.00, he opted to give the competitors open water racing in
Poole Bay rather than remain in Poole Harbour.
The first
start, on a Blue Peter, necessitated a general recall after which the black
flag was used for the rest of the day and the competitors behaved. Race one started in a force 2 but finished
in a f4. The wind then gradually built
during the day with the final three races being sailed in a f5. There was a short interlude between races
three and four for lunch, with the race committee serving hot dogs to the
competitors and RIB crews!
It turned out that the race officer had got his timing spot on and the last competitor was off the water at 15.55. Very consistent sailing saw Amy Seabright and Katrina Brewer win the regatta, with Stephen Tiernan and Desmott McMorrough second, Josh Pistol and Piers Strong were third and Joanna Freeman and Hannah Mitchell fourth.
Paul Freeman