16/04/2016
Hornsea open Hornsea Sailing Club

Given that most of the weather services had forecast gales on the day it was a surprise to welcome five visitors representing five different clubs spread over the north of England. These joined three local boats to compete in the fresh but sailable breezes under broken cloud cover. The first race set the tone with the visiting boats setting the pace with the local boats starting well behind the rest of the fleet. John Aldous (Beaver) led the first lap but was pipped to the windward mark on the next rounding by Steve Blackburn (West Lancashire). This lead remained to the end while Peter Cogill (Rotherham) exchanged places with Neil Dyer (Hykeham). With some vicious gusts offering some great reaches there were also a number of capsizes.

In the second race the main beat started as a close fetch with speed as the emphasis but by half way it had turned into a true beat punishing those who were less weatherly. Aldous again led the first lap with Philip David (Ripon) and Dyer close behind. Coghill was in fourth with Blackburn fifth. It was all change for the second lap when Dyer led Aldous from David and Blackburn. Once again the challenging conditions led to a number of upsets but fabulous reaching on Hornsea's wide open water. By the third lap the positions were clearer with Aldous recapturing first place followed by Dyer, Blackburn and the foremost Hornsea boat of Tony Ridley.

The start of the third race saw three boats capable of winning the event. It was no surprise that Aldous took a substantial lead and held it to the finish. The weather ultimately took its toll on David had who remained in second place for two laps but was unable to finish. Dyer took second place with Blackburn third. The three local boats finished with Ridley fourth, Sammi Warner fifth and Mike Knight sixth. Although not of the pace of the leaders they had all finished every race.