36 spectacular photos and full report from Keelboat Week at Itchenor Sailing Club

The courses set by race officer David McGregor were exemplary giving the fleet options to various marks.

The Sunbeam Class, the XOD and the Swallow Class were all involved in a week of thrilling and competitive racing.

Photographer Chris Hatton was there to capture the action and you can see 36 photos by him in the slideshow, in the video player above.

But if you have south westerlies of force three or four, a clear blue sky and Chichester Harbour at high tide, it is what you have. So it was for the 70-plus classic boats that raced in Itchenor Keelboat Week (IKW).

The courses set by race officer David McGregor were exemplary.

The Sunbeam Class are celebrating its centenaryand following a successful Centenary Regatta, they continued their rvalry by entering 27 boats for IKW. This included five visiting from Falmouth.

The week’s winner was Martin Jones’ Holly, scoring only firsts or seconds.Second and third were decided by Friday’s race between Fleury (Joe and Kathie Burnie) and Danny (Roger Wickens and Tim Martell) and Fleury prevailed.

In the XOD fleet the main protagonists were Captain’s Cup winners from Cowes 2022, Messrs Faulkner, McGrane and Calder in Swallow, visiting from Hamble – vying with local champions, Astralita (Graham, Copsey, and Tremlett), Xcitation (Yeoman, Moss, and Llewelyn) and Madeleine (Fulford, Buckley and Clarke).

First blood went to Madeleine, ahead of Astralita and Xcitation. The rest of the week’s first places went to Astralita, Xcitation, Astralita, and Xcitation. Swallow had a series of third and fourth places to take third overall behind Astralita and Xcitation.

But the Itchenor regatta is not just about podium places. Many close tussles took place with several crews putting in consistent results. Particular mention goes to Relaxation steered by Nick Andrews in only his second season in XODs scoring four 14th place to win the Onward Cup.

Also celebrating an anniversary are the Swallow Class – 75 years young this year. Some 21 boats competed for the Buccaneer Trophy over eight races..

Osprey (James Hartley) were clear winners with seven points, able to discard a second place. But they did not have it all their own way in the competitive fleet.

Last year’s winner Gwaihir (Mike Wigmore) began well with a comfortable win but had been over the line at the start. She made up for it with two race wins later in the week to come second overall. Marengo (Carolyn Brigg) sailed consistently for third. Migrant and Solitude both had time at the front in certain races.