Chase Sailing Club Polar Pursuit 2023

Chase Sailing Club Polar Pursuit Race 2023 © Dave Watkins

Chase Sailing Club Polar Pursuit Race 2023 © Dave Watkins

On the 16th of December, the Chase Sailing Club saw the return of its annual Polar Pursuit Race, this year stacked up to be one of the best so far, with a record entry list, fantastic forecast and a literary of sailing champions!

Competitors started arriving early with the promise of some sunshine and a constant SW breeze, usually warm temperatures for the time of year. Competitors were not disappointed as the weather held true to the predicted forecast.

The entry list saw 30 different classes and entries from around the UK, The RO Graham Flynn set out his course for the day prior to the organised briefing at 11.30am. The race was shaping up to be a classic 2-hour pursuit!

The briefing was held in the club house, the competitors all given their start times and told to keep the beach free for the slow boats to get going!

The sun was out, the breeze was a 3-4, forecasted to pick up later in the race. The scratch boat was the RS Feva of Mia Hatley and Mona Nygard from South Staffs Sailing Club. The RO got the race going at 12pm exactly.

The committee boat was a busy place to be, with 30 classes to get through starting over a half hour period.

The first notable fleet to get away was the Solo class after the slower classes of the Byte and Miracle got started. Everyone got off the start line, After the Solo's the GP14's got away.

Next of the list was the Lasers & OK's of Andy (Taxi) Davies and Nick Craig, with plenty of competition for line.

After the Supernova's and the Finn of Paul Lester it was time for the Scorpions and Albacores, these classes were keen to get away in the increasing breeze. There were a few boats over, Tom and Racheal in 2047 going back along with another. Also the Scorpion of Jon Willars (2017) deciding not to go back.

Alex Berry decided to also chance his luck in his D-Zero going back as instructed. Everyone else got started and the race was under way.

The RS Feva kept leading the race for a long period, the breeze now started to pick up and the faster boats were making the most of the breeze.

The gybe mark was now becoming a challenge for some competitors with quite a few taking a swim and the opportunity to have an early shower.

The reaches down the lake provided the spectators with some awesome sights, Tom Gillard and Rachael Gray getting the better of the slower boats with 20mins still left on the clock, Sam Mckay showed excellent consistence and pace in his Hartley Streaker, followed by Nick in his OK.

Chase Sailing Club Polar Pursuit Race 2023 - photo © Dave Watkins

The RO finished the race, the Scorpion of Tom Gillard, and Rachael Gray (2047) winning the event, Sam McKay was the runner up in his Streaker (2176), with the defending champion Nick Craig finished 3rd in the OK. Local sailor Adam Froggatt in his Phantom (1449) finished in 4th.

The galley had done the club proud with a choice of soup and hot snacks available, everyone had a good meal, the bar was also stocked with a choice of Christmas beers and drinks.

The Chase Commodore Dave Watkins thanked everyone for attending the event, the galley for the excellent food, the Race team for all their hard work, the sponsors, Hartley Boats, Robline, Boardwise and all the members for making everyone so welcome.

Rachael Gray thanked everyone for a superb event, the welcome that was extended by the club, the sponsors, she also commented that "we are already looking forward to next year!"

Chase Sailing Club is already looking to next year, it will be bigger and better!

Overall Results: