Over the weekend of 18/19 June the inaugural !RC Sussex Championships were held at Brighton.
The aim to promote better competition between three clubs representing Brighton, Eastbourne and Shoreham was amply achieved by the warm hospitality extended by the officers and staff of hosts Brighton Marina Yacht Club to competitors and visitors alike.
Redeye BMYC winner of IRC 1
Shoreham based Sussex Yacht Club provided a RIB and on Sunday Tim Cork, an SYC director, was race officer. Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club made up the trio.
A total of six races were sailed over the two days and the fifteen yachts taking part were divided into two fleets.
The final result in IRC class 1 saw Pete & Pip Tyler‘s J-105 Redeye narrowly beat 1720 SpiderPig with J-109 Diamond Jem third.
In IRC class 2Robin Stevenson‘s J-92s Upstart finished a point ahead of J97 Jeneral Lee and third place going to Catch 22, a Humphreys Custom 24.
Pip Tyler of Redeye commented;
“Six races over two days is what I liked most about the regatta. Short, sharp racing. It was nice to compete against visiting yachts from the other clubs.
It always amazes me how high the standard of yachting we have in Sussex.”
Race officer Tim Cork, third left, on BMYC committee boat
Robin Stevenson of Upstart said;
“Brighton Marina Yacht Club did a great job of hosting the inaugural IRC Sussex Championships.
Team “Upstart” were placed in IRC class 2 and it soon settled down to a close competition between us and J97 Jeneral Lee.
We have raced against them many times before and it is always a tough battle between us. The races on Day 1 were raced in light, sub 10kts of breeze for all three races and we finished the day on equal points with Jeneral Lee.
Day 2 was completely different. The breeze steadily built throughout the day to a solid 15 to 18kts from the South West.
Day 2 was all about excellent boat handling to take advantage of the better pressure, the Upstart team did not disappoint, some great sail handling skills by the crew helped us to take the regatta win.
Many thanks to all at BMYC for hosting a great event. We look forward to the event next year when we can attempt to defend our County Championship title.”
Yachts on start line IRC Sussex Championships 2016
