2009 Open Report

The Piplers of Poole GP14 Round the Islands Team Races Report by David Bracey - Pictures by Mike Millard

At last summer put in another appearance for the 10 teams entering the 6^th Piplers Round the Islands races. Sunny, warm and light NW breezes.
Race 1 - The morning’s race produced a fine sight as 29 boats under spinnaker headed for Brownsea Castle where the first lottery of the day was decided. The islands wind shadow produced a melee, boats pointing in all directions with the unlucky one’s fighting to avoid the castle landing stage. Few were admiring the lovely scenery as one by one each boat very, very slowly edged away onto a good reach to Nat West.
The light breeze was at least consistent to produce a good sail around Green Island and on to Piccadilly, then a fetch back to the finish line.

Race 1 winners - Mike Arrow and Ian Aitken - Poole YC

So much for local knowledge, although Mike Arrow and Ian Aitken excelled to win with only one other Poole boat managing the top ten. Richard Lord and Hannah Rose (Seahorse S.C.) were 2nd with Mark Wolf and Alex Dotsh (B.T.Y.C.) third. The leading team positions were :

1st. Seahorse A - 7 pts
2nd. BTYC A - 9pts
3rd. BTYC B - 12 pts

Race 2 - The course should have been a beat to Moriconium then a run/reach to Piccadilly and on to take the islands anti-clockwise. In light winds the strong tide was sweeping the boats over the line resulting in two general recalls.
	The third attempt to start saw the fleet reach Moriconium but the failing breeze made it very difficult to make headway against the tide, some boats being pushed backwards. The second lottery of the day was won by boats which adopted the “strip” of wind on the starboard side of the course. Time did not allow the race to progress beyond Piccadilly where it was finished.

Sods Law immediately came into effect as now the sea breeze overpowered the remnants of the North-Westerly and picked up sufficiently for everyone to enjoy a good reach back to the club.
As the visitors dominated race 1 so Poole Y.C. dominated race 2 filling the first five positions. 1st Mike Arrow and Ian Aitken 2nd Ian and Rachel Wall 3rd Mike Williams and Martin Trim.

Left to Right - Margaret Williams with the winning team from Poole YC - Martin Trim, Ian Aitken, Mike Arrow and Mike Williams

These results enabled Poole Yacht Club A team to enjoy a complete reversal of fortune and win the Piplers Trophy for the third time.

1st Poole A         - 17 pts
2nd Seahorse A   - 24 pts
3rd BTYC B         - 26 pts

Tea, biscuits, cakes and prizegiving was enjoyed by all except Baldrick who forgot the prizes !.
Afterwards, the 70 guests enjoying the evening Carvery Dinner, appreciated the kind words of David Rose, commodore of Seahorse S.C.
Opinions were divided on Baldrick’s “relaxed” response !

Seahorse Sailing Club Commodore David Rose