A modest turnout of Europes attended the annual open at Highcliffe Sailing Club on Saturday 17th August, combined with a laser open, with all 3 races to count.

Predicted to be the hottest day of the year, strong sea breezes were forecast, but as soon as the fleet hit the water, a haze put paid to that idea and left the race officers with a tricky F1-2 southerly breeze to contend with.

Choosing the correct side of the beat in the strong tide was always going to pay, James Eynon from Weston soon found his way around the top mark in 1, hotly pursued by Ian Stow, also of Weston. Stow was experimenting with a stiffer rig for the event, which paid dividends offwind, and soon forced his way through to the front, with Chris Hughes close behind. It was these three who would end up fighting for the top three places although Alan Bird and Paul Robson, newcomers to the fleet, were close behind as was Helen McHale, also from Weston. On the second lap Eynon overtook Stow and was able to put a few of the back markers of the laser fleet inbetween himself and the rest of the fleet, before extending the lead to the finish. Stow held on to second, with Hughes in third.

In the second race Eynon again found good lanes up the beat to work his way to the front, with a close battle for second between Hughes and Stow, which Hughes won. Further down the fleet, Helen McHale put in a good performance in the conditions, snapping at the hooves of the leaders, while the two newcomers to the fleet, Paul Robson from Brightlingsea and Alan Bird from South Cerney were putting in spirited performances at the back of the fleet.

In the third race, Eynon only needed a 3rd to win the event, but ensured top place with another win. Whoever won between Stow and Hughes would gain second, which Stow did with another close race in the building breeze.

Thanks must go to Highcliffe Sailing club for hosting the event, and to the PRO for doing a good job in tricky conditions.

Final placings

1st - James Eynon. Weston 3pts
2nd - Ian Stow. Weston 7pts
3rd - Chris Hughes. Weston 8pts
4th - Alan Bird. South Cerney 14 pts
5th - Helen McHale. Weston 15pts
6th - Paul Robson. Brightlingsea 17pts