Whitstable Musto Skiff Open 14 & 15th May 2011 by Richard Pelly

Photos : Tania Samus see more images at http://www.photoskiff.com/

Musto Performance Skiff Whitstable Open 2011 (possibly the best open meeting ever!)

26 musto sailors entered the event, this was rigidly controlled by Mr & Mrs Perkins who would not allow any paper work to be handed in out of order. Mike Palfreman nearly held up the system as he arrived with no cash and Tim Chapman had to loan him his entry fee. Not only class treasurer but also a loan shark ... but he offers good rates.

The weather was fine with a force 4 westerly blowing for the first race. The breeze was a bit holey but this didn’t stop Keen’s progress up the course. Keen and Peake fought it out at the front, Peake leading at the end of the second lap. The windward mark then drifted with the tide on the final lap causing the lap length to shorten progressively with time. Keen took line honours, but there was rumour that the race would be binned. This did not happen but the standing results were taken from the second lap order, giving Peake 1st Keen 2nd and Pelley 3rd.

Race 2 saw the largest ever Stokes Bay Shoot Out at the windward mark, all places 1st to 8th filled with Stokes boats this only interrupted by Jenner (of no fixed abode but would love to sail at Stokes) in 5th. Keen took the win, Palfreman 2nd and Peake 3rd.

In race 3 Keen continued his dominance taking another win with Peake 2nd and Pelley 3rd.

Race 4, unusually Keen didn’t get to the windward mark first, instead a slightly surprised Jon Simpson followed closely by Pelley then Keen. This order remained until the final lap when Keen got a very jammy lift up the final beat and took 2nd at the windward mark and then squeezed pass Simpson on the downwind leg to take the win again.

Whitstable YC then fed the competitors chicken curry which was very good and much beer was consumed in the various pubs in town. Andy Rice had an embracing accident and a good time was had by all present.

The second day followed a similar pattern Keen taking 3 out of 4 wins leave him with 6 points a clear winner, with Peake 2nd, Pelley 3rd, Cooper 4th and McIntosh 5th.

A great event all round and a big thank you to all the volunteers from WYC who put on an excellent open meeting and the fleet very much looks forward to returning again next year.

Full results >>>