An optimistic fleet arrived at a slightly damp Parkstone YC, for the RS200 SW Ugly Tour event sponsored by Westcountry Boat Repairs, following a scorching week of sunshine, the rain was rather novel. The forecast of 7-10mph was promising, offering good conditions for a pleasant days racing, especially with a forecast offering up a brighter afternoon. Rigged and ready to launch the fleet tallied out, sails up and ready to go, except the wind hadn’t got the same memo, there was none. Cue an hour or so of the fleet hanging around, thankfully with the rain having subsided, and excellent hosting by Parkstone providing cans of drink. The wind teased but didn’t appear to want to fill in, until just in the nick of time a gentle breeze began to build. Following a quick liaison between the shore team and the race officer on the water out in the race area, the course area was moved to give the best chance of getting a series in, and the fleet were a go!

The light conditions required patience and a cool head, in the building heat, with race one getting away cleanly. The locals clearly enjoying the chance to show the rest of the fleet around the course, with the Parkstone family team of Richard/Lila Edwards taking first, from fellow Parkstone boat Will Storey/Kate Allam in second. Third place was taken by Flynn Davies/Holly Dabson, with fourth taken by another local Parkstone boat Edd Whitehead/Millie Alcock and fifth Murray Hampshire/Phoebe Warren.

With time pushing on, and a deadline of 3:30 to start a final race, the second race would now become the final race, meaning it was all to play for, in a no discard series of two races. The tide now beginning to exit Poole harbour with some haste, created the perfect conditions for some un-scheduled starting practice, with two general recalls, the second of which was under black flag, claiming two victims. Third time lucky and we were off, the wind now building with the fleet now stretching their legs upwind, with some gentle hiking at times. It was the turn of another local boat to take the win, this time from Poole YC, with Morgan Peach/Amy Sparks taking the win, with Davies/Dabson in second, Ian Martin/Chris Catt in third, and the top five being completed by Hampshire/Warren in fourth and Whitehead/Alcock in fifth.

It wouldn’t be an Ugly tour event at Parkstone without four more ingredients, sunshine, BBQ, beer (ok and Pimms!) and cake, which is the icing on the cake on what turned out to be a great event. I have yet to go to a club that can match the absolute quality of hosting that Parkstone can deliver, they really smash it out of the park, year after year, it really is a winning formula! Talking about winning, the event was won by Flynn Davies/Holly Dabson from Burham SC, with second place boat going to local Parkstone sailors Richard/Lila Edwards. Third and fourth place were tied on points, with Murray Hampshire/Phoebe Warren from WCSS coming out top, from local Parkstone sailors Edd Whitehead/Millie Alcock, and another Parkstone team of Will Storey/Kate Allam rounding out the top five. Silver fleet was won yet again, and clearly eyeing up a future promotion, by the Llandegfedd/Exe duo of Merrick Stanley/Victoria Upton from the second placed silver boat of another Parkstone team, Peter Loretto/Lucy Wise. Bronze fleet was won by the far travelling Cornish team from St Mawes of Rose Hallam/Benjamin Marsden from second place Bronze boat Graham/Darcie Flynn from The Chase SC.

The tour continues at Exe SC on 18^th September, after the fleet have had a weeks practice there in August at the Nationals, don’t miss it!

 John Teague