Fifty boats took part in this year’s 12th West Sussex Schools’ and Youth Sailing Association Regatta, the second to be hosted by Bosham Sailing Club, on 4th to 5th September. The generally, again light conditions, favoured the more experienced sailors in the, at times, difficult tidal conditions experienced in Chichester Harbour. All the youngsters, some entering their first major regatta, displayed a high degree of seamanship in handling their boats and launching and recovering in a disciplined way and on the race course competition was keen and close right through the three fleets.

Basil Messenger (Race Officer) had a difficult time in the conditions setting appropriate courses for the fleets. A light SW breeze and a reverse "P" course set south of Cobnor point on the Saturday and straddling the main channel down Chichester harbour, the safety cover was on permanent alert for potential conflicts, in the event there were none, much to the credit of all the youngsters. On the Sunday with the wind from the East the course was set as a "P" for the morning race and to try and avoid the traffic of boats between Chichester Marina to East Head a windward leeward course set on the left hand side of the channel pm. In the Slow Handicap fleet (15 boats) the Optimist of Alex Mothersale (Emsworth Slipper Sailing Club (ESSC)) clearly meant business with the Mirror of Jonathan Holmes and Jo Austen also of ESSC sailing well coming in 2nd overall and the Feva of Alex Thorsby and Hamish Ellis again of ESSC coming in third overall. The fleet, consisting primarily of Optimists and Picos of various configurations with the two boats named above and the Miracle of Daniel Biddle and David Taw (Crawley Mariners Yacht Club CMYC)) (4th overall) being sole representatives of their classes.

The Fast Handicap fleet (10 boats) was likewise dominated by one Club, this time it was the Laser Radials of Emsworth Slipper Sailing Club, with Richard Kennedy (1st) and Robert Jefferies (2nd) being split in two races by the Laser of Chris Green (Arun Youth Aqua Centre (AYAC)) (3rd). With the wind mainly being SW force 1-2 on the Saturday and E F2 on Sunday with occasional spells of a F3 the only two two-man boats, a 420 James Millett and Heidi Clevett (AYAC) and the Laser 2 Stephanie Page and Rachel Wright (Pagham Yacht Club (PYC), and did not split the Laser Fleet.

The light conditions favoured the light sailors in the Topper fleet with keen competition between Max Yoward, Peter McCoy and Ben Hodges all of ESSC heading the fleet of 25 boats. Matthew Roche (CMYC) spoiled the party on Sunday posting a 2nd and 1st having not sailed on the Saturday. With the dominance of ESSC the result of the team trophy was never in doubt and was won by Emsworth Slipper Sailing Club. Six clubs were represented with Crawley Mariners 2nd and it was good to see the resurgence of the cadet section of Pagham Yacht Club 3rd overall. Roger Elliman (WSSYSA) presented the trophies after a very successful regatta and congratulated all the youngsters on their individual performances. Martin Tomlinson (WSSYSA Secretary) gave special thanks to Bosham Yacht Club for hosting the event and providing the bulk of the essential safety cover and the regatta secretary Jan Elliman (WSSYSA) for the pre race organisation.
Results Fast Handicap: - 1st Richard Kennedy Emsworth Slipper Sailing Club (ESSC) Laser Radial, 2nd Robert Jefferies (ESSC) Laser Radial, 3rd Chris Green Arun Youth Aqua Centre (AYAC) Laser. Slow Handicap: - 1st Alex Mothersale (ESSC) Optimist, 2nd Jonathan Holmes and Jo Austen (ESSC) Mirror, 3rd Alex Thorsby and Hamish Ellis (ESSC) Feva. Topper Fleet: - Max Yoward ESSC, 2nd Peter McCoy ESSC, 3rd Ben Hodges ESSC, 4th Mike Goodbourn ESSC, 5th Adam Sennitt and 6th Jack Spencer ESSC. Team Trophy based on best six placed boats: - 1st ESSC, 2nd CMYC and 3rd PYC. Best under 14 years Max Yoward ESSC Topper.

		Gallery: WSSYSA Regatta 2004 Click thumbnails for larger popup.