Bosham Masters Weekend 19th - 21st May 2023

Published 12:56 on 24 May 2023

Bosham Masters Weekend 19th - 21st May 2023

Photo Credits: Paul Adams - HarbourImages (If you would like to view or purchase any of the pictures from Paul, please see here - using code BSCM).

What started slowly in very light winds, with sailors resorting to paddling to make the start line, ended with a Force Five and challenging sailing to make the 2023 Bosham Masters, sponsored by Stride & Son, a memorable race weekend in Chichester Harbour.

One of Bosham Sailing Club's blue riband regattas of the year, the Masters took place over three days (19th-21st May) and saw 50 boats and 100 sailors competing for a dozen trophies.

BSC boats taking part included Scows, Tideways, Devon Yawls and a fast fleet comprising Chichester Harbour 18s, National 18s, ILCA (Laser), Finns and RS Aeros.

The largest class was for the Yachting World Day Boat and a special YWDB Open competition run in conjunction with the Masters saw visitors from along the south coast take on Bosham boats.

In between the paddling on the Friday and the gusting north easterlies of later in the weekend there was plenty of "champagne sailing" under clear blue skies with some notably close racing action across all classes.

Devon Yawl sailor Steve Board in Tipsea II didn't have things all his own way in a freshly invigorated DY class. However, Steve and crew Julie Shave still put on a dominant display, winning five of their six races and taking overall honours as the Bosham Masters champion 2023.

A full team of volunteers in safety boats ensured all the fleets returned to Bosham safely if not always dry. The Upside Down Trophy for most dramatic capsize went to Finn McCormack who was caught out by the gusting conditions in his Chichester Harbour 18.

The sailing was rounded off each day by a sumptuous home-made tea with dinner on the Saturday and the Simply Jazz Quartet playing live on the terrace. "All in all another perfect weekend of sailing in our corner of paradise," said organiser Bob Murray.

The Bosham Masters - sponsored by Stride & Son - 2023 results

Fast Handicap

1^st Stephen Hart/Owen Davies/Paul Metcalfe (Chichester Harbour 18)

2^nd Charles Cooper, (ILCA 7 - standard rig)

3^rd Jeremy Drummond, (Finn)

Yachting World Day Boat

1^st Mark Stanton/Shirley Stanton, (Icarus)

2^nd Nigel Russell/Isabelle Russell, (Casspiain)

3^rd Richard Lewis/Laura Lewis, (Vis Vitae)

Devon Yawl

1^st Steven Board/Julie Shave, (Tipsea II)

2^nd Colin Giddens/Nicole Giddens, (Foudre Bleu)

3^rd Chris Craig/Bob Murray, (InishFree)

Tideway

1^st Richard Wilde, (Red Shank)

2^nd Ian Wheeler, (Razzle)

3^rd Martyn Chase/Verity Chase, (Cinnebar)

Chichester Scow

1^st Shaun Hopkins, (Moonshine)

2^nd Izzie Lee, (Happy Bunny)

3^rd Judy Roberts, (Kleintje Pils)

Yachting World Day Boat Open meeting

1^st Nigel Russell/Isabelle Russell, (Casspiain)

2^nd Mark Stanton/Shirley Stanton, (Icarus)

3^rd Timothy Wilcox/Gerry Wilcocks, (Tiger)

Highest placed visitor: Nick Crang/Rebecca Crang/J Crang

Bosham Master 2023

Steve Board, (Devon Yawl)

President's Bell (Lady helm over 70 with lowest points, excluding class winner ) Izzie Lee

George Smith Tankard (Male helm over 70 with lowest points, excluding class winner ) Andrew Walker

Brass Binoculars (Highest points having started all races ) Mary Brooke

Upside Down Trophy

Finn McCormack, Chichester Harbour 18

Report by Bob Murray

Last updated 16:07 on 24 May 2023