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For EFS! Europes Finns Solos - HISC's Late Spring Single Handed Regatta 17-18 May
The modern belief in the forecasts a week out or so IMO is cramping open meeting attendance, of course along with rising costs for accommodation, food, travel and entry, but the reliance on the forecast really sways a lot of the sailors that sit on the fence, perhaps concentrating too much on this data and end up capsizing off.
This late spring regatta superbly put together by Theo Galyer, HISC's triple 700 national champ who now wings, walks his dogs and does a superb job organizing such events as these as the club's Sailing Coordinator.
A few years back, the Europes gently inquired if they could run an open meeting alongside the Solo Tyler trophy, as any self respecting Solo sailor is duty bound by being a member of the said class association, much grumbling and debating took place. Alas, the days of huge Solo fleets for this trophy have waned a little, so actually accepting the Europes made it viable for the club to run and now prospers on these joint classes. Along comes a school of Finns, somewhere in the region of 20 boats at the drop of a hat to HISC 18 months ago, and so it seemed sensible to add the Finns to this event, with quite a lot of dancing with the BFA, it looks like HISC will get this in the calendar as a full blown open meeting in 2026.
Day 1; Charlie Bradshaw held the fleets on shore for an hour on Saturday morning, a fair amount of hope but an early strong easterly can have a detrimental effect on a sea breeze here, so there was certainly a little trepidation as the Race committee boat headed out, D flag raised not long after and all fleets ghosted out to just before Eastoke buoy where a wind goddess put on a gentle SSE to send us all over to Hayling Bay West.
Finns started first, a longish start line for them so no argy bargy. The wind had built to 10 knots with quite a few flicks so some boat speed, some lee bow and some shift work pretty much order of the day - Race 1 saw Laurence Crispin take the gun, with Nick Craig second and Tim Carver third. Race 2 - Nick moved up a place to win, as did Tim Carver for second and local sailor Roman Kyodykin knocked in a third. Race 3 - Laurence came back with a win, local Michael De Courcy second and Nick for third - overnight Nick lead by a point from Laurence with Tim in third.
Solos with their very healthy entry had some argy bargy and the pin end was well acquainted with some. Clean start. Same emphasis on the course and Ewan Birkin-Walls from GWSC took the first race, second was Michael Sims and third, HISC sailor Tom Goodey. Race 2 with a general and black flag got away without further ado and Michael Sims took the win Harry Lucas second and Alex Butler starting to put the numbers together was third. Race three; Mr. or is it now Dr Alex Butler PHD got the numbers and the chemistry and the physics bang on to lead and win the final race of the day. Overnight, Michael Sims first, Tom Goodey second and Alex Butler third having to count a seventh in Race 1.
Europes up next and a very civilized start with room to choose on the whole but still some argy at the favoured end. Mr. (I have a brand new Synergy Marine boat and I have only sailed a couple of times and that's up the creek in Bosham) Andy Palmer Felgate just launched himself and his new ship to leave the hardened racers a little aghast TBPFH. Horizoned the fleet with a one, one, two. Great to see Chris Gill being consistently up there with a two, three, three and Jeremey Hartley with a four, four, two. Mr Gullan took the bullet in race three to end on a high. Overnight Andy first, Chris second and Jeremy third.
The race team of Charlie x2 , John Barber, Victoria Payne, Brian Beavis and Seline Strowlger ran the racing and turn arounds with supreme efficiency and very appreciated by all on the water . A bit of weather mark jiggling but none of the protracted chasing the wind hanging around forever malarki, guessing the race team had dinner date!!!
After putting our boats to rest, young winging windsurfing superstar, Tom Pringuer, treated us to great age related tunes with his decks on the balcony, loud enough to enjoy, quiet enough to yarn amongst ourselves. Saturday evening and the Europes got their convivial hats on and put a dinner date out to the Finns and Solos, with the galley having an a la carte menu there was something for everyone. We had aperitifs on the balcony in glorious sun and adjourned early to eat as everyone was hungry after our brains had consumed quite a bit of energy, working out a challenging day with wind goddess 1, 2, 3,and 4.
Martin and his team laid on some fine fayre, the majority tucking into burgers and chips or steak and crispy fries and veg. Super fast service and we sat on some round tables, chewed the fat and enjoyed Nigel Bird’s memories of a young Hector Cisineros back in the day sailing the E, not mentionable class. Lovely story emphasized by Nigel's lovely west country lilt. The Europes provided a surprise prize and to show no bias, a Solo sailor won.
The world has gone mad when the Europe and Solo fleet are tucking into Steak and Chips and Burgers and Chicken, while the Finn class decide to not avail themselves of a gorgeous sunny drinking platform and a spacious dining room with the best view in the world to head off to a local sweaty cramped Indian restaurant waiting ages for their meal and eating Dahl and rice, For Finns Sake! Needless to say they didn't get their sail numbers in the surprise draw.
Pre Launching, those still standing in the Finn fleet discussed the various merits of the slightly saucy side of Emsworth with local sailor Matthew Walker dropping in the conversation that today was the second time he had sailed his Finn this year and yesterday was the first, not too bad to finish the event in third. Did he have the Rogan Josh!
Day Two - Race team looked well oiled and ready for another great days sailing and that's what they did. Another general from those Solo boys and girl, but apart from that, clockwork isn't quite accurate enough. Sea breeze kicked in but not a real puncher, but still glorious considering the forecast. It started at 190 and all reasonably stable with a few flicks. Race Five looked like a classic go right as the breeze you'd expect to go right. For a few brave souls that seem the way but a big shift that stuck at 165ish really hammered those on the right. Finns looked like they were struggling a bit in the slightly higher breeze, guessing they have to eat a gallon of lentils to reach their quads!
Race Four for the Finns and Tim Carver must have headed off home for his Steak on Saturday night and so took the bullet, Nick second and Chris Bateman third. Notably, four of the 14 Finn sailors didn't start any races in day two! Delhi belly!
Notably, two sailors out of the combined fleets of 54 sailors from Solos and Europes didn't race on day two. Martin, the Head Chef at HISC, knows what he is doing. Race Four for the Solos was a black flag start after a general with three competitors pinged. Ewan Birkin Walls seems to like winning the first race of the day, with Harry Lucas second and Jonathan Swain in third. Race 5 - Vincent Horey took the win and Mr/Dr. Consistent started to add the numbers together working out a second was getting essential. Third went to Chris Bunn from Lady Yacht Club. Race Six was a three-way battle for the overall win; Ewan,Michael and the Doc. Finishing on 12 points to take the win was numbers maestro Alex Butler - Hayling Island Sailing Club. Michael Sims - Carsington Sailing Club second on 13 points and Ewan Birkin Walls - GWSC 15 points.
Europes started the day with Andy continuing his horizon job, Tom Morris found his national winning form with a second followed by a first and a fourth to win the day, but there was no holding back Andy who won with a net of nine points. Jeremy and Chris both on 15, Jeremy took second on countback, Tom a point behind to take fourth and Jason Belben in fifth.
Great prizegiving with quite a few prizes handed out for the Solo fleet, made the Finns and Europes feel a little green eyed. Alex thanked the race team and the Europes celebrated the class's legend Mr. Richard Eagleton celebrating his 77th birthday and still able to get his leg under the boom.
All the HISC sailors enjoyed our visitors, appreciate the long trek some make to the toe end of Hayling Island, the club is well set up for open meeting events and the club has a very efficient team that make the journey worth it. HISC members really enjoy visiting sailors to open events, I think sometimes we just don't show it, but honestly we really do. Thanks for coming.
A few shout outs to those that make it all happen behind the scenes but by no account a full list. The Georges, marine and office, Sam and Debs more office stuff, Sophia who lets you in the gate when you have forgotten your code and gives you a lovely smile at reception, Sue Wingrove our tally lady with the patience of a Saint!, Rob the car park man who rarely gets a smile, Adrian and team who are at the club everyday at 5.30 am cleaning for the day, Jasmine ,Jemima, Scarlet and all the Bar Team who kept us hydrated and lastly Martin and his team who saved us from Delhi belly.
With some gentle persuasion, Theo would like this in the diary for 2026 as a joint classes single handed regatta, the HISC team look forward to seeing you all again. Finally never let a forecast get in the way of an amazing two days of sailing!
A la prochaine, Andre