27/04/2024
Hornsea Open Hornsea Sailing Club

North Sails Northern Paddle Series

by Stuart Burnett

Hornsea Sailing Club served up perfect conditions for the first event of the North Sails Northern Paddle Series on 27 April.

Local sailor Mike Knight was joined by Phil Priestley (Yorkshire Dales SC) and an entourage of six from Beaver SC, all keen to make a good start to the season. They enjoyed three highly competitive races in glorious sunshine and a healthy 15 mph, gusting to 25 mph, breeze.

Race 1 started with a tricky beat with changeable wind shifts which split the field, despite everyone getting off to a good start. Giles Therkelson-Smith of Beaver SC opened up a perfect lead over his clubmates, Steve Hanby and Dave Borrett, who were hot on his stern. Giles held on to the lead and was well set up for the win, until the final beat, when Dave threw in a quick tack as the wind switched bringing him ahead of the two leaders. Dave duly celebrated as Giles willed himself over the line to take second, just ahead of Steve in third. Phil Priestley was in the mix early on and finished fourth ahead of the remaining Beaver trio of Jon Aldhous, Stuart Burnett and Lianne Therkelson.

A change of course and a slight increase in wind made for more choppy conditions for race 2. With everyone keen to get that perfect start, there were only boat lengths separating the pack as they all powered up the shifty first beat. Steve made the break this time, taking control of the race and enjoying the screaming reaches. Dave came through ahead of Giles, after a 'slight altercation' with Phil who finished fourth. Meanwhile, Jon had a less than clinical start and was left chasing down Stu to take fifth. Lianne performed well, finishing comfortably ahead of Mike.

The all-important final race offered a cooler, stronger, mischievous wind which was to be a real test for everyone. Stuart held third at the windward mark behind Giles and Steve, providing them with a cushion from Dave who was stuck in the pack battling with Phil and Jon. However, Stuart's promising race was short lived as he was forced to retire with gear failure, leaving Phil, Dave and Jon to try and make an impression on the two leaders. Steve's race also then came to an abrupt end with a spectacular capsize separating sailor and boat. This left the way clear for youngster Giles to take the win, with Phil in a well earned second, ahead of the ever persistent Dave.

So that left Giles Therkelson-Smith as worthy overall winner, just ahead of Dave Borrett second and a cold and wet Steve Hanby in third.

Our thanks go to the kind volunteers at Hornsea SC for a very well run event at this excellent venue; the weather also helped!

Next up in the North Sails Northern Paddle Series is the Northern Championships at Hykeham SC on 8 June.

Overall Results: