Pursuit 1 – 11 March 2023 – 11am Start Time – The first pursuit of 2023 started in bright but cold conditions, with a crisp breeze from the SE. 8 yachts started for a quick trip around the top of Sussex Bay.

A initial course of 7nm was set. Congratulations to Tim Worsfield and Little Blue for the win.

Results here

Inshore Series 1 – 12 March 2023 – 11am Start Time

6 yachts locked out at 9am in what initially looked like light conditions. But the breeze built through the day conditions at the finish were averaging gusts well in to the 20kts range. The race averaged about 80 mins for most of the fleet and by the end strong wave conditions lead to surfing conditions for those boats that were trying!

At the club bar post racing, positive feedback on the day was shared from a number of boats: “We saw 11.6kts down one wave!” and “Great course, lots of tacking and gybing!”.

Congratulations to all skippers and crews for venturing out on the 1st race of the year and particularly Robin Stevenson (Upstart) for the 1st in IRC Overall and Dave Ramus (Devils Advocate) for the 1st in IRC HF and NHC.

Results here

In 2023 Sussex Yacht Club is trialling new result fleet splits and handicap methods to attract more competitors and give more of the fleet something to play for. As well as regular IRC overall results, a fleet split is being trialled within IRC to provide a result for less performance orientated Cruiser/Racers. Dubbed IRC HF while in the first testing phase, it is hoped that the racing fleet will be enticed to take part in the knowledge that more options for a result are on offer.

At the same time, SYC is trialling an in-house developed handicap system. Operating purely in a testing phase for 2023, with no overall prizes awarded for this year, regular monitoring of the adjustment factor and feedback from skippers will be used to determine if this system will replace existing handicap factors for the 2024 season.

by Sussex Yacht Club