Chichester sailors clamour to race in yacht club's Dinghy Week

Current restrictions meant the youth week and the race week were separated, but even so 75 boats registered to take part in the event. The club took every precaution to maintain social distancing, including WhatsApp briefings and phased launching from the beach.

Competitors had four days of racing in bright sunshine and gentle winds.

Once on the water race officer Nick Colbourne and his assistants positioned the committee boat on the far shore beside the Birdham Racing mark, setting a short upwind beat to the first mark followed by a close reach and a further longer beat toward the marina. The line was deliberately port biased to encourage boats to spread out and avoid bunching.

On day one the wind was light and after two races, Bill Grose and Sally Cantello had a clear lead in the fast fleet. Steve and Sarah Cockerill were leading the medium fleet, Pete Harrison leading the slow fleet and Samuel Machell was first in the Novice-coached fleet.

On day two the wind started light but started to die between the races, but the next day brought a more steady wind and the racers enjoyed two races with lots of places changing.

After three days and six races, the Fast fleet was led by John Reynolds and Fran Howell in their RS4000, second was Nick and Roger Eliman in the RS400. In the Medium Fleet, leading was Charles Porter sailing a Laser, followed by Richard Anderton and Lucy Boreham sailing a GP14. In the Slow fleet Peter Harrison in a Foxer was followed by Effie and Sarah Grant in their Mirror.

The final day’s sailing promised more light wind with shorter races due to the later tide. In the first race Steve Cockerill in an RS300 built a huge lead followed by the RS4000. In the second race the tables were turned and the 4000 led the field.

After all the results were calculated, first place in the slow fleet went to Pete Harrison in his Foxer, first in the medium fleet went to Paul Travan (winning for the second year) sailing a Solo, first in the fast fleet were John Raymonds and Fran Howell in their RS4000.

Dinghy week was sponsored by Pantaenius.