Contender Open at Halifax Sailing Club

12 intrepid Contender sailors ventured north to Halifax Sailing Club (aka Holden family Sailing Club) for round 11 of the Boat Bits Traveller’s trophy, coming from as far a field as Cornwall, Kent and Suffolk. Day 1 was grey, overcast and gusts of up to 35 mph and COLD. A few brave souls launched into the elements watched by more cautious competitors in the comfort of the clubhouse. Ben Holden tested the broad reach from the bottom end of the reservoir to the top, two-footing it in style until a massive gust slewed the boat up into wind and catapulted him halfway up the mainsail. With all the other frequent capsizes, this was enough for the race officer to decide to abandon racing for the day. After the usual beers, a very tasty curry was enjoyed by all.

Sunday dawned with pleasant force 3-4 easterly blowing across the water. Stacey Bray led race 1 followed by Tim Holden, Rodger White and Neil Ferguson in his brand new Bonezzi. On the last beat to the finish, Stacey laid it down on his tack to the line allowing the chasing three through.

Race 2 saw Tim Holden using local knowledge to lead at the first mark, chased hard by Ben Holden, Sandy Clapham and Rodger White. These latter two exchanged places and Stacey Bray worked his way through the fleet to fourth.

After lunch, the usual faces were at the front in race 3, and joining them were Martin Jones and Stuart Backhouse. Stuart and Rodger stood on at the leeward mark and benefitted from a large wind bend. This lead was short lived as Stacey Bray tacked early on the last beat of the round and was never caught. Meanwhile, the Holden duo joined the fray at the front. Stuart Backhouse held onto second while Ben forced Tim to tack off at the line, allowing Rodger White to pip Tim for fourth.

There was all to play for in the last race. The pin end was favoured and with no way through the fleet, Stacey Bray and Rodger White went the wrong way out on port tack, leaving Tim and Ben Holden in first and second at the first windward mark, with Stuart and Martin in hot pursuit. The leading two pulled away with Tim fending off Ben to the finish and Stacey Bray pulled through to third sailing very consistently.

The overall result was Tim Holden first, showing mastery of his home waters, Ben Holden second and Stacey Bray third.

Thanks go to Halifax Sailing Club for hosting the event, to Ben Holden for his hospitality and to ‘boat bits’ for their generous sponsorship.

Overall Results: