NORFOLK PUNT OPEN MEETING

HBSC's annual punt open meeting was sailed in dry sunny weather with a variable, mostly southerly breeze that dropped almost to zero at times and rose to F3 at others.

Seven punts came to the line for three races, two to count, and enjoyed the best summer sailing conditions at Hickling for many years – by combination of unprecedented recent rainfall and weed-free conditions, the entire broad area is sailable with foils fully lowered.

Disappointingly, despite the excellent conditions no visitors made the trip to Hickling, so that the entry was an all home club affair. Nonetheless the racing was fascinating, with much place changing, demonstration of considerable expertise, and contracting styles off-wind between the symmetrically and asymmetrically rigged boats.

In spite of many changes of the lead between James Jarvey's Harnser and Simon Clayton's Peregrine, it was James, crewed by his brother Paul, who won the first race. In line with the Jarvey's top form of recent years, they won the other two as well.

Jane Pye, crewed by Ian Bray, came second in the first race, but had to be content with third place overall, behind Simon and Rachel Clayton with their two second places.

Interest was added by Robin Slatter's vintage punt Goldeneye, built in 1928, but now graced with a rig borrowed from an RS 400. Whilst permitted by class rules, the appropriate official class handicap has not yet been determined, and on the default handicap Robin's punt got the wooden spoon, whereas on his unofficial club handicap he came mid-fleet.

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