Osprey Open at Blithfield Sailing Club
by Ian McDonald 14 Oct 2024 09:20 UTC
12-13 October 2024
Blithfield Osprey Open © Alastair Reid
Ospreys have been an icon within Blithfield Sailing Club for decades. Great racing, but the Open is also an event where the great food and drink after sailing is vital.
A few unavoidable issues meant that a handful of our friends couldn't join us, but an autumn start line of 16 is OK. And we look forward to a start sheet in the 20s in 2025.
Our great OD, Geoff Wright, focused his briefing to those few who had not visited before. An optimistic fleet, confident that the expected strong winds would happen overnight, lined up for race 1. Terry Curtis and Peter Gregg made it clear that they intended an overall win by finishing first with Richard Marshall and Gareth Humpries (back from a 40 year Osprey sabbatical) crossed next with the Lakeland team of Alec Manwell and Arthur Butler close behind. Race two began under clouds and increasing doubt that the wind forecast was correct. Indeed, the last lap made all sailors glad that they were in a fresh breeze amongst the experienced and capable Osprey fleet. Curtis and Gregg took a strong grip with another win. Steve Graham, the Hartley Boats sail expert and Chris Massey hid the decades out of the boat by crossing next. Phillip Meakins and Chris Dodd from Warsash were third. Phillips "Sunday" crew was on her way to the club.
Last year the Blithfield Open was challenged by the "Four Horseman" on Saturday which flattened the fleet. For race three this year, they were back - with several miserable chums joining them! OK, 50% of the fleet chose to go ashore although the choice was made with winds over 35 mph. Gold star to Curtis and Gregg for a win with Roger and Jamie Blake second and Graham / Massey third. And the spirit of the fleet was highlighted by all racers helping with boat recovery- lots of clothing drying overnight!
Then the evening of Blithfield Hog Roast and Draft Beer!. Sorry if you missed it - we will see you in 2025!
Sunday morning saw more wind than the very light forecast. Race four allowed Graham and Massey to test all those speed settings to the win. The Curtis/Gregg 2nd place confirmed their overall win and allowed them an early trip to the nice warm Blithfield showers. Marshall and Humphries finished third.
Winds were lighter for the final race. Peter Slater - Blithfield's hard working Commodore was in the lead from the wire for a lap,with Tom Chadfield steering, before slipping just off the race podium. Marshall and Humphries were first over the line to confirm their overall podium position. Just behind were family team Alex and Nick Willis from Hayling Island with Blithfield's Ian McDonald and Jon Gibbons third.
Hartley Boats made a generous raffle contribution to allow all competitors to collect a reminder of a good weekend.
See you next year!
Overall Results: (top three)
1st Terry Curtis & Peter Greig (Castle Cove)
2nd Steve Graham & Chris Massey (Blithfield SC)
3rd Richard Marshall & Gareth Humphries (Poole YC)