Yachting World Dayboat open meeting at Bosham Sailing Club - by David MacFarlane

Published 09:01 on 28 May 2023

(Yachting World Dayboat open meeting at Bosham © Paul Adams / Harbour Images)

Bosham SC hosted their annual Yachting World Dayboat open meeting and, as in previous years, the event was integrated into the club's premier dinghy event the three day Masters. A strong fleet of home club boats was joined by six visitors from Gravesend SC, Thornbury SC and Hamble River SC.

Conditions over the two days were ideal for the YWDBs with a challenging force 4-5 wind an unbroken sunshine. All races were run from a committee boat in the main part of Chichester Harbour. The final leg each day took the fleet up the very picturesque Bosham Creek to finish at the club's Quay line.

Race 1 - Following a close first beat the fleet split on downwind leg with Mark & Shirley Stanton DB673, Tim & Diana Parkinson DB565 and Mark & Sue Ross DB640 gaining a strong lead on the rest of the fleet. Mark & Shirley continued to lead to finish first with Nigel & Isabel Russell DB614 working their way through to second and Tim & Diana third.

Race 2 - Tim & Gerry Wilcock DB664 led from the start but were eventually caught by Mark & Shirley who went on to record their second bullet of the day. Nigel & Isabel staged a phenomenal recovery after being OCS, to pip Tim & Gerry for second.

Sadly Tim & Gerry were forced to subsequently retire after they realised that they had passed the wrong side of "Peacock". This allowed Matt Straker & Mike Hewitt DB621 to take third place

Race 3 - Sunday brought another breezy and sunny day. The first six boats converged at the windward mark in very close order, but Nigel & Isabel slipped out of the pack to lead downwind followed by Mark & Shirley. Both boats held their positions to the finish.

There was a very close tussle for third place which included Richard & Laura Lewis DB618, Tim & Gerry, Nick & Jennifer Crang DB629 and Matt & Michael. On the line Tim & Gerry just managed to secure third.

Race 4 - So after three races the outcome of the event could not have been closer with Mark & Shirley counting two 1st places and a 2nd and Nigel & Isabel scoring two second places and a first.

However, Nigel & Isabel started the final race well, led at the windward mark and never looked back. There was an almighty tussle for the remaining podium places which were only decided on the line when Richard & Laura finished just ahead of Mark & Shirley.

Winning the last race secured the overall title for Nigel & Isabel, a repeat performance of their win in 2022.

Particular mention should be made of Nick Crang crewed by his two daughters Jennifer (Sun) and Rebecca (Sat). The Bosham Open was the first time Nick had stepped into his DB and despite being the lightest crew in the fleet they finished a highly creditable fifth overall and took home the prize for the leading visitor.

Ashore, the Bosham volunteers laid on a magnificent tea each day with supper and live jazz on the Saturday evening.

Thanks go to the entire organizing team for an excellent weekend on and off the water.

(Nigel and Isabel Russell win the Yachting World Dayboat open meeting at Bosham - photo @ Paul Adams / Harbour Images)

Last updated 11:51 on 12 March 2024