XOD Racing at Poole Week 2024: A Thrilling Offshore Sailing Experience
XOD Racing at Poole Week 2024
25-30 August 2024
It’s life Jim, but not as we know it
Four Itchenor XOD boats made their way to Parkstone, joining a diverse group of XOD sailors. While some aspects felt familiar, others were intriguingly different.
The XODs were conveniently moored in pontoon berths, allowing easy access without the usual scramble onto a club rib. The locals followed a unique morning tradition, swimming to scrub their keels each day. Races began at a leisurely 2 PM, complemented by free beer afterward, although each boat mysteriously received only two beer tokens — raising questions about who would be left out.
The ambitious round-the-island races were scheduled, but surprisingly, no team ever completed the loop. Races commenced from a fixed platform, requiring competitors to cross the finish line after every lap. The shallow harbor featured confusing tidal channels and double high waters—was there a second moon? The sailing club had a vague resemblance to the Starship Enterprise, but the local sailors were exceptionally friendly.
The Itchenor sailors proved their mettle, achieving a commendable 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 22nd positions overall. Wind conditions varied significantly, from a lively 20 knots to gentle 5-knot breezes. The standout boat, X91 Astralita, helmed by John Tremlett and crewed by Fraser Graham and Tim Copsey, triumphed with three firsts and four seconds in the nine-race series, echoing their previous year’s success.
X58 Madelaine, with Penny Fulford, Nigel Buckley, and Jonathon Clark, clinched the final race to finish with 21 points, securing third place overall just ahead of local sailing legend Willie McNeill on X123 Lara. Meanwhile, Nik Froud on X72 Venus from Lymington took second place.
X187 Zoe, lent to Roger Yeoman and Chris Darling and crewed by Paul Ward, Nick Andrews, Miles DB-M, and John Hodgart, introduced a new level of complexity but persevered through several challenges to achieve 5th place. X152 Beaver, with Chris Blevins and his twin brother Tim alongside Anthony, showcased consistent performances, frequently competing in the teens with occasional appearances near the front. They arranged a dry delivery and noted the excellent facilities for craning in, which may attract sailors from distant clubs for next year’s events.
Overall, the week exuded a friendly atmosphere and provided a pleasant contrast to the intensity of Cowes Week.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Crew 1 | Crew 2 | Club | Boat Name | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 91 | John Tremlett | Fraser Graham | Tim Copsey | Itchenor SC | Astralita | 1 | -2 | -6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 11 |
| 2nd | 72 | Nik Froud | Max Moyles | Royal Lymington YC | Venus | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | -5 | -13 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 21 | |
| 3rd | X58 | Penny Fulford | Nigel Buckley | ISC | Madeleine | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 | -15 | 5 | 2 | -8 | 1 | 24 | |
| 4th | 123 | William McNeill | Andrew Tredrea | Royal Motor YC | Lara | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 9 | 1 | -11 | -16 | 4 | 25 | |
| 5th | 187 | Chris Darling | Roger Yeoman | Itchenor SC | Zoe | (RET) | 4 | 9 | -11 | 11 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 42 | |
| 6th | 165 | Barry Dunning | Jonathan Clark | Carol Dunning | Royal Lymington Yacht Club | Tortoise | 4 | 9 | -15 | 4 | 1 | -16 | 9 | 12 | 7 | 46 |
| 7th | 119 | Paul Woodman | Oliver James | Phil Lawrence | Royal Lymington YC | Lone Star | 7 | 6 | (DSQ) | 6 | -17 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 47 |
| 8th | 34 | Eric Williams | Tim Blackwell | Royal Lymington YC | Mersa | 11 | 8 | 11 | 5 | 13 | (OCS) | 4 | -15 | 6 | 58 | |
| 9th | 40 | David Law | Jane Arnold | Jane Law | Parkstone YC | Kyperini | 6 | -15 | 3 | 8 | 12 | 8 | 10 | -18 | 12 | 59 |
| 10th | 25 | Jeremy Harford‑Tapp | Simon Verner | Parkstone YC | Morven | -16 | 10 | 8 | -15 | 3 | 11 | 12 | 5 | 15 | 64 | |
| 11th | 193 | Nick Fullagar | Pete Vince | George Stead | Parkstone YC | Sawdust | 9 | 11 | 10 | -19 | 8 | 12 | -18 | 3 | 13 | 66 |
| 12th | X 29 | Tim Martin | John Gale | Parkstone YC | Corisande | 10 | 13 | 4 | 14 | -22 | 14 | -16 | 4 | 8 | 67 | |
| 13th | X173 | Gillian Ellis | Rupert Anderson | Amy Clark | Royal Lymington Yacht Club | Heyday | 12 | 7 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 6 | 8 | -14 | (DNC) | 69 |
| 14th | X 143 | John Edmonds | Nigel Wrigley | Christine Law | Parkstone YC | Skiffle | (DSQ) | 12 | 12 | 10 | 4 | -15 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 77 |
| 15th | X61 | Richard Batchelor | Chris Edwards | Derrick Gill | Parkstone YC | Silver Wind | 8 | -18 | -18 | 17 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 10 | 16 | 81 |
| 16th | 13 | Andrew Hill | Andy Hough | Julie Hill | Parkstone YC | Mischief | 14 | (OCS) | 7 | 9 | 6 | 18 | -23 | 17 | 21 | 92 |
| 17th | 37 | Crispin Tombs | Brian Hitchcock | Parkstone YC | Ariel | 13 | 14 | -22 | 12 | -26 | 19 | 7 | 11 | 19 | 95 | |
| 18th | X74 | Don Hardy | tba | Parkstone YC | Fiona | 17 | 16 | 17 | 20 | -23 | (OCS) | 17 | 9 | 18 | 114 | |
| 19th | 12 | Mark Woodhouse | Tessa Woodhouse | John Chilvers | Parkstone YC | Dawn | -21 | 20 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 9 | 21 | -23 | 17 | 118 |
| 20th | X43 | Tim Mellery‑Pratt | Tony Mellery‑Pratt | Jim Adams | Parkstone YC | Moonfleet | 15 | 17 | (DNC) | (DNC) | 16 | 4 | 14 | DNC | DNC | 122 |
| 21st | 196 | John Wilson | Ian Davidson | Chris Smerdon | Parkstone YC | Saranna | 19 | -21 | 14 | 18 | 21 | (DNC) | 19 | 21 | 10 | 122 |
| 22nd | X152 | Chris Blevins | Tim Blevins | Anthony Hargrave | Itchenor SC | Beaver | 18 | 19 | 21 | -23 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 20 | -22 | 133 |
| 23rd | X120 | Peter Thomas | Paul Rivers Latham | John Shepherd | Parkstone YC | Xig Xag | -23 | -24 | 19 | 21 | 14 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 20 | 137 |
| 24th | X85 | Mike Drake | John Walker | Parkstone YC | Harlequin | 20 | 22 | 20 | -24 | -24 | 21 | 24 | 22 | 14 | 143 | |
| 25th | 160 | Simon Blackaller | James Willis | Parkstone YC | Merlin | 22 | 23 | (DNC) | -25 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 165 | |
| 26th | 89 | Jonthan Newton | Bex Granger | Ed Fuller | Parkstone YC | Jinx | (DNC) | (DNC) | 23 | 22 | 20 | 20 | DNC | DNC | DNC | 169 |
| 27th | X194 | Nick Cornish | Viv Evans | Parkstone YC | Alvine | (RET) | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 196 |
Oliver Hayes, a seasoned sailor and marine journalist from Southampton, has a profound love for the sea that has shaped his career. Holding a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Portsmouth, Oliver is celebrated for his compelling and insightful storytelling. His work vividly captures the excitement of sailing and the rich maritime heritage of the United Kingdom, making him a respected figure in the sailing community. When not writing, Oliver enjoys exploring the British Isles’ diverse coastlines and participating in local regattas, always on the lookout for his next nautical adventure.