OCSS at the Itchenor Swallows Match

I write this report sipping a cold soda lime in the bar at Itchenor Sailing Club as I wait for an out of hours car repair. There are certainly worse places to be stuck than this rather lovely sailing club!

The day started with a briefing at 10:30am sharp, led by PRO Mike Wiggmore, setting out a starboard box course in the fairly congested channel.

The Society team consisted of Gregory Sale & Hugh Tomkins, Rob Sherrington & Ellen Bryson, Tom Hebbert & Robin Nott. We were each joined by a local minder (critical for local knowledge, Swallow knowledge & ensuring we respect the very lovely boats on loan!).

Race 1

Moderate breeze, 10-15 knots, but a fairly strong tide against us meant that a fair few boats were further back than they might have hoped off the start line. This race turned into mostly a drag race, as both sides got used to their current boat and new crew. Society picked up a 1&2 to secure the first race.

Race 2

A feature of the racing was the helm switching. Itchnor switched helm every race, whereas the Society only switched after two. This proved to be a closer fought event with the start being closer fought, and some team racing to starting to come out. Tom and Rob as ex-teammates were on good form and Society balanced our way to another win.

Race 3 & 4

Itchenor decided to take off the gloves for these two matches, and the team racing stepped up a notch. There was some good team racing moves on display, with mark traps, locks and chasedowns on both sides. For these two races Itchenor proved that close quarters boat handling experience was key, with Society letting the opposition back in the game due to the nibleness being somewhat less than a firefly! Itchenor secured both these races.

Lunch

We headed back in for a rather nice lunch in the buttery and a pint or two. Very convivial.

Race 5

Over lunch high tide had come and gone, meaning the tide was with us upwind. The breeze had also picked up to more like the 20 knot mark.

Once again the start was a close affair, with a fair few positions changing. At mark 1 Society were in a 1 / 4 / 5 (citation needed). Gybes came thick and fast and were now quite lively with a couple of broaches spotted.

At mark 3, Society entered the zone with mark room, but powered up on a board reach. Itchenor, looking for a way ahead, gave a rather optimisitic gap inside, and Society bailed out, not wanting to cleave a Swallow in two. After this incident Itchenor had a solid command of the remainder of the race.

With the wind continuing to build, home time was called upon completion of race 5.

Back onshore, the Captains came to an agreement that Race 5 should be nullifed, such that the offical score was a tie 2-2.

Fin

A tie means that Society retain the trophy for another year, off the back of a 2024 win, and 2025 blown off. No matter the result, the conditions were fabulous and everyone was very enthusistic about the close racing throughout!

As ever, a huge thank you to Simon Slater for organising, and Itchenor Sailing Club for hosting, providing boats & minders! Always a real treat!