2008 Open Report

The Piplers of Poole GP14 Round the Islands Team Races
Pictures by Mike Millard
The Piplers of Poole annual Round the Islands Team Race event, where boats from Poole Y.C. compete with Seahorse S.C and B.T.Y.C. Sailsports from the Welsh Harp, London, attracted an entry of 21 boats in 7 teams. Fortunately the previous days winds of force 7 and above subdued but still forecasted to be breezy. As competitors arrived with the islands covered in mist and light winds the forecast looked questionable. At least the sky cleared and the islands were viewable for the start of the first race.
Race 1 – With the imminent arrival of the Barfleur ferry ship, a course of anti-clockwise round the islands of Green, Furzey and Brownsea was chosen. The force 2 south easterly shifted southerly at the start causing a crowded pin end and a one sided beat to Piccadilly mark. Martin Trim (PYC) and guest crew Ian Mott from the Harp recovered from a poor start by sailing low of the fleet to pop up in front but their lead was short lived as the favourites closed in.
Mike and Margaret Williams (PYC) tempted the fleet to sail close to Green Island with inevitable consequences, one being the unforgettable sight of Richard Lord, parked and sedately climbing from his boat into knee level water to remove the pin from his fixed rudder.

Jim Faulkner and Angela Bartley from BTYC Sailsports

This was magic to the passing fleet especially the Williams’s who now seized the lead which they held past the castle to the home stretch. Lord fought back and choosing to cross the channel uncovered paid dividends and passed the finish, streets ahead of the pack that sailed close to the island. Second place in the two and a half hour race went to Roger Walton & Serena Counsell (BTYC) in front of Den Valentine & Serina Thorley (PYC).

Race 2 – As boats began to launch in brilliant sunshine so the breeze leaped up to force 5 promising some exiting sailing.

This time the same course but clockwise and a spinnaker start. After a short postponement they were off with the first capsize just yards from the line. Richard Lord and Lorna Davis (Seahorse) enjoying the conditions soon made the running, gaining a convincing lead as they passed the castle. The uncomfortable beat to Nat West Buoy and then the route round the Islands saw no change and with Lord now cutting the corners the rudders again were lifting.

Roger Walton and Serena Counsell from B.T.Y.C. Sailsports


With the club now in sight and a beam wind, the kites went up and the planning began. More capsizes but again no change for the leaders and once round Piccadilly the exhilarating, long fast reach to the line became a perfect climax to the days racing.

Another first for Richard and Lorna but sadly not the prizes as this is team racing.
Mike Arrow and Ian Aitken from PYC took second place but the result that clinched the Trophy, a third for Roger and Serena (BTYC).
Scoring best overall was Team A from BTYC. Congratulations to:
13696 - Brian Jeffries and Richard Malden
13980 - Za and Libby Jelliffe,
and 13887 - Roger Walton and Serena Counsell,
all deserved winners of the Piplers Trophy for 2008

Pictured the winning team from BTYC - left to right - Brian Jeffries, Richard Malden, Libby Jelliffe, Za Jelliffe, Serena Counsell, Roger Walton with David Bracey

After Tea and Prizegiving the evening rounded off with a dinner in the clubhouse for sixty plus with special guests John and Catherine Gardner from Piplers of Poole and some kind words from Za Jelliffe representing the visitors.

Roll on next year !