Chipstead Sailing Club

IOM UNICORN TROPHY Open Meeting at Chipstead SC RS - 10/02/2019

The day started somewhat overcast and cold as the competitors arrived at Chipstead Sailing Club. With boat registration completed and the course laid the briefing commenced at 09:45. The PRO welcomed everyone to the club and outlined the days sailing. The Chipstead SC Radio Fleet provided a well drilled race team to run and observe the event.

Racing commenced around 10:00am with the breeze from the West North West blowing around 14 MPH gusting to 20 MPH. Although the ambient air temperature was around 7 degrees, the wind chill factor was quite severe and it felt like 1 to 2 degrees. The course was a windward leeward course over a distance of approximately 130 metres.

The mornings racing consisted of ten races with Colin Goodman as the outstanding leader, but with only six points covering the following three skippers, Trevor Binks, Vernon Appleton and Mike Keyte. The home based boats were also having a good series holding places from 3 through to seven.

Lunch was taken at 12:30 with an excellent Pasta Bolognaise being very welcome in the cold conditions. Three skippers withdrew at this point due to the cold weather.

The afternoon race session began at 13:20 with the breeze picking up to around 16MPH gusting 25 MPH. Thanks to the end of storm Erik Race No. 21 (the last race) was raced in heavy rain and the top end rig 2. Colin Goodman continued his good run with a consistent run of bullets spoiled only by a few second places. Trevor Binks and Vernon Appleton had a great battle for second and third places with Trevor slowly edging ahead. Mike Keyte, Peter Crisp and David Adams battled for the next three places.

Racing continued to 15:50hrs when 21 races had been completed.

The race team and skippers adjourned to the warmth of the club house to a hot drink and prize giving.

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1st Colin Goodman (Unicorn Trophy)

2nd Trevor Binks

3rd Vernon Appleton (1st Chipstead boat Trophy)

4th Mike Keyte

5th Peter Crisp

David Marten who was racing with a boat full of water received a prize for the most persistent sailor of the day.