HISC Elite Sprint Championships

The weekend of 17/18 May HISC hosted the Elite Sprint Championships for the Ali Yearsley Memorial Trophy. The forecasts of a NE gradient and bright Sunshine didn’t augur well, but the computer boffins at the Met office were predicting an 8-10 knots SSW both days and so it proved.

Saturday was all about tummy bugs and Joanna Lumley. Class captain Nick Peters was laid low by a mystery bug so Simon Childs, Kato and Guy took the boat and control of the event, leading Saturday with a 1,2,3,5 one point ahead of James Yearsley crewed by JC and Anna who needed a good day ahead of the class Beano at James’s house and with two race wins. Another point back in 3rd were Tom ,Jo and Colin with a consistent 2,2,4,5. Saturday night was Ab Fab and through the copious alcohol and extras there was a sight of Joanna Lumley.

Sunday dawned with some heavy heads and a short postponement. Copious coffee and water helped the race team and the highly tuned competitors prepare for the 4 races scheduled for the day.

Tom, Jo and Colin were on their mettle with 1,1,1,3 to take the event. Jo Llewelyn newcomer to the fleet, but not the front of keelboat or dinghy classes, had a solid day 2,2,3,3.5 to take second. Heaven knows what happens if his crew Chips ever sails with Fish and Pasty.

3rd overall was James crewed by JC and (Sunday light weight crew) Mark Darling - another win but a Ufd in the mix taking 3rd.

A great event and an amazing social was a fitting way to award the Ali Yearsley Trophy with some lovely words from Sophie Costard as well as Tom Hewitson the winning skipper.