Dinghy Racing

SW Pursuit

Culdrose recorded a warm 12kt South Westerly 100% humidity and drizzle – as Helford’s dinghy racers set of on Thursday’s Pursuit race. Home from home then for Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club’s successful Laser racer Andrew Richards (3rd in Div A, Middle Island Regatta ‘13) on leave with his young sailing family. Search RHKYC for details of their internationally competing youth 29ner fleets.

First of by the clubs pursuit start line was Beccy Kestin in Laser 4.7 taking the long run to Toll with the odd 20+knot chasing gust in her stride. Adam Mason’s Solo (1st) and Andy & Karen Biggs National 12 (2nd) soon had their sights filled by Beccy’s 50 sq ft sail – being half the pursuer’s size.

Andy Richards pristine 40 year old Laser (no 3413!) fresh out from ~ 20 years storage was next off for its baptismal race at HRSC. There have been over 200,000 lasers built so Andy’s is a rare vintage and he sailed it with a connoisseur’s appreciation leaving Brooks behind to take 4th after his 3rd.

The Laser II fleet started together with Andrew & daughter Beks Hosking taking a lead over Chris Hosken bravely sailing single handed. The gusts were too strong and the sails to big (124sqft) for this inversion prone dinghy and hydrophobic farmer to continue. We expect Beks will be tempted out soon on the trapeze in a good breeze to demonstrate Team Hosking’s true potential. Perhaps former National Laser II Champion Adam Mason can be persuaded to reprise his role as a demo for Beks?

HRSC’s early rising stars Ollie Berryman & Ed Bolitho have been acquitting themselves well this week – a top placing of 16 out of 44 in the RS 400 National Championship Berwick. Now for Falmouth Week!

Results:
1st Adam Mason, 2nd Andy Biggs, 3rd Andy Richards