R-L – Norman Petty presenting cup to the winner Brian Tilbury, 2nd place, William Rowles, 3rd place Andrew Petty
21st Annual Harbour Dash
Seasoned National Windsurfer Brian Tilbury, on holiday in the Weymouth area, dominated Weymouth Boardsailing’s 21st Annual Harbour Dash by completing the 6Nm course in a time of 1hr 48mins.
Nick Deverell, last year’s winner, had a commanding lead at the start but as the fleet of 17 windsurfers headed towards Portland Harbour from Overcombe the 10knot NE wind died in the heat of the day and this advantage was quickly lost. Nick, after pumping continuously for 5 miles, had to finally settle for 6th position.
Just over 50% of the fleet completed the course but it became a personal endurance race in the variable winds, which rarely gusted above 5knots!
The 21st Annual Harbour Dash will be remembered as one of the most tiring and arduous ever held and the youngest competitor, William Rowles, did extremely well to finish in second place.
The tandem entry, expertly crewed by Helen Lyle & Andy Bramah was an interesting and challenging entry but with virtually no wind they, like many others, were forced to retire!
Event organiser Norman Petty stated: The Annual Harbour Dash is a challenging and unique windsurfing event, and the sailing conditions from year to year are never the same, but 2007 will most certainly be remembered as taking the longest ever!
The top three finishers were:
1st Brian Tilbury 1:48:35
2nd William Rowles 2:14:15
3rd Andrew Petty 2:15:35
Special thanks goes to the Boscawen Lifesaving and Rescue Club for their professional support and assistance. A total of £ 51 was raised for charity.
Attachments:
2. Photo of start
3. Photo of the start
