Mirror Open Meeting, Warsash SC, 10th September

Hurricane force winds failed to materialise as 12 Mirrors arrived at Warsash, although a brisk breeze would still be tricky for some of the less experienced.  Visitors from Itchenor and Poole swelled the ranks of the rejuvenated Warsash Mirrors -  most in their first season in the Mirror.  

With the aim to get 3 races in before the forecast increase in wind later in the afternoon the Race Officer Jon Spencer decided to run short windward leeward races which kept everyone on their toes.  Rob and Imogen Bellfield (Warsash) used their experience, and weight, to good effect but were chased hard by Joanna Kladeron and Otillie Spruit (Itchenor) in the first two races, but after Jonna and Ottilie established the lead in the third race they used close covering tactics that Ben Ainslie would have been proud of to hold their first position.  Katie Davies and Gemma Keers (Itchenor), and Isobel Davies and Millie Moss (Itchenor) both sailed consistently well to take 3rd and 4th - followed by the new lightweight Watkins partnership (Poole) who flew along being so light - although their overall position was spoilt by a capsize in the last race. Jenny Lorimer and Amy Sparks (Warsash/Poole) were the first Warsash junior boat - a good result in Jenny's first season of Mirror sailing. A cracking afternoon's sailing - which bodes well for the future of the class at Warsash.