An enthusiastic fleet of 24 Larks visited Arun Sailing Club over the weekend of 4-5 June. Situated in the Arun river, with a short sail to open sea, the Club was hosting its first Lark open meeting.

Unfortunately, the wind was less obliging, blowing up to 28 knots, leaving PRO Richard Dobson with no choice to abandon for the day. The fleet then took off to the local fun fair, where the Bumper cars and crazy Golf can rarely have seen such hot competition, nor the huge slide such a variety of descending styles.

By Sunday, the wind had dropped to a Force 4, allowing the fleet to venture out of the river. In Race 1, Ruth Johnson and Katie Sampson made it round the windward mark first. Nigel Hufton and Chris Whitehouse got through on the first reach and held the lead to the end. Jon Lewis and Millie Parson pulled through to the front of the chasing pack, only to be pipped at the downwind finish by Steve Dunn and Tegwyn Roberts.

In Race 2, Mark Ampleford and Lee Nankervis looked to be in the lead coming in from the left, but a strong tide and a lift to port left them reaching down behind Hufton and Whitehouse who had judged the lay-line to perfection. With the wind increasing and the sea building on the ebb tide, some wild conditions ensued. Simon Cox and Anna Hotchkiss revelled in the conditions, edging past Hufton/Whitehouse on the second run, with current national champions Sarah Richards and Nigel Wakefield taking third place.

With the water fast disappearing from the river, no further races were held, leaving Hufton/Whitehouse to record their first open meeting win.

Overall Results

1st Nigel Hufton and Chris Whitehouse, 3 pts

2nd Steve Dunn and Tegwyn Roberts, 6 pts

3rd Simon Cox and Anna Hotchkiss, 7 pts

4th Steve Cumley and Eluned Jones, 10 pts

5th Jon Lewis and Millie Parsons, 11 pts