Over the first weekend in July Pevensey Bay Sailing Club held the Federation Cup, Saturday for the Cadets and Sunday for adult sailors. The Federation is the group of Sailing Clubs stretching from Rye to Newhaven and Seaford. The location changes annually, and next year it is to be held in Bexhill.
The Cadet team was frustrated by strong winds and a heavy sea , plus not assisted by small course markers, which in the waves were difficult to see. Eve Fifield , Laser 4.7 was leading , whilst searching the horizon for the next mark when the organisers abandoned the race , having noted the capsizes in the fleet . Unfortunate for all.
On Sunday the conditions were not much better , but the race did commence, and again the BSC team made good progress.
The wind strength had caused Tony Lane and crew Hanna Bolton an early problem . After sailing up from Bexhill with our second Catamaran entrant , the Wright’s , father and daughter , the wind had twisted the sail and broken battens , which are there to keep the sail in shape. They started the race but withdrew after two laps as the boat became more unwieldy.
Paul Wright and his daughter however had run through the fleet to challenge the leading Dart 16 , an Eastbourne SC boat at each mark. These Cat’s were flying whilst the dinghies struggled to keep upright , many failing . Safety boats were on hand , to assist on Laser which broke its mast , and escort others needing assistance.
A problem on the last lap unfortunately allowed the Eastbourne boat to get ahead , and in the end Bexhill SC had its highest placed competitor, the Wright’s 4th overall.
Richard Eagleton, Europe , competed well , and in the slow fleet took third place on the water . It was an exhausting race for all , but well contested.
This year Bexhill took third place behind Pevensey SC 1st , and Eastbourne SC 2nd.
There is always next year .