DRAFT 1 - 2023 Osprey National Championship
by Osprey Class Association
All on water photos are by Peter Hickson for credit
The 2023 Osprey Class National Championship and celebration of the 70th year of Osprey sailing finished in glorious sunshine and good breeze. Thank you Hayling Island Sailing Club for arranging the weather over the period 2nd to 5th September.
The full program of 8 races was completed over the four days, even though on Sunday the wind did not appear, after many found it a challenge getting out to the race area against the strong flood tide!
As everyone returned for early they had plenty of time to get ready for the evening dinner. The call to dinner was piped by class member Michael Scott. One hundred and forty-five people sat down to a wonderful meal prepared by the Hayling Island SC galley. Many travelled down especially for the dinner and it was brilliant to see so many make such a great effort.
The evening was a celebration of 70 years of Osprey sailing. Oscar Chess did a whistle stop reprise of his 50 years of sailing an Osprey and the formal bit was finished by Dougal Henshaw. Dougal gave an insight to the early days of the incubation of the Osprey and its early flights against Flying Dutchman, Cornet (became 505) and others at IYRU (now World Sailing) trials. “The Osprey may not have won the battle but it seems to have won the war!”, a reference to turnouts at national championships.
The new Champions Matt Rainback & Phil Angrave, Osprey 1352 ‘String Driven Thing’, set out their stall on the first day with two 1sts and continued for the rest of the races discarding a 3rd & 4th place. Phil commented:
“It’s still sinking in. A lot of hard work, but all worthwhile.”
In second place were Ben McGrane & James Ross, Osprey 1340 ‘Beastly Whizzer’, who got to grips with boat very well following the recent acquisition of the boat. Ben & James are newcomers to the class, although Ben is 2023 Mirror World Champion and has been successful in Int14’s..
Rounding out the Top3 was Chris Gould & Dan Martin sailing Osprey 1311 'Oh Spray' who just managed to do enough tin the last race. Just missing out on the podium were winners of the previous two National Championships, Matt Burge & Vyv Townend sailing Osprey 1153 'Calisto' even though they finished the week with three 2nd places.
Leading lady helm sailing with Mike Greig on the wire in Osprey 1339 'Thomas Too' finished in fifth place overal counting a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, & 5th in their results.
There were all iterations of the Osprey from MkII GRP to the latest MkVI and nobody was way behind. The age range of those sailing was 15 to 79. Two clubs Emsworth & Netley have representation again with youngsters. The class boat, Osprey 1360, had a young rookie crew, Esme Greatorex, who had a try of the boat when it was at Emsworth earlier in the year. Esme has come through the Emsworth Junior & Youth program and has sailed Optimist / Feva / Laser 2000/ RS200.
The were many family connections in the entries; father/son, brother/sister, husband/wife teams and other family bragging rights with members in different boats. Additionally the class welcomed those who have been sailing other classes; Javelins, Merlins, Oppie, Topper Feva etc. The brother & sister team in Osprey 1325 ‘Seein Red’ made this comment, it was brother Simon’s first Nationals:
“Osprey Nationals in 3 words; fun, insane and exciting.
Everyone is so welcoming and friendly. There's always someone to give a helping hand and provide advice when asked. It's a class where all competitors love the boat and what it can do. So much so they will go out in no wind (with tide running against the boat meaning you pass the same buoy 7 times) against a tide that means you go back to the same boy 7 times and have to wait 2 hours for a tow to get to the start. But then the next day you have wind and some amazing 3 sail reaches down the waves barrelling into the reach mark. These are the reason why we always return to the Osprey Nationals when we can.”
The oldest boat, Osprey 757 ‘More Panic’, sailed 3 up, was helmed by 15-year old ex-Optimist & Topper sailor and now sailing 420. His dad’s comment:
“Newbie to Osprey but not racing, as anyone who tried to roll us found out! Definitely in charge of the boat!”
Full results can be seen at https://www.sailwave.com/results/ospreyclass/2023NationalChampionship-Results.htm
The Osprey Class say a BIG thank you to Hayling Island SC and the companies that provided sponsorship – Hartley Boats, Craftinsure, Allen Brothers, ClamCleat, Fernhurst Books, Rain& Sun, Robline and SeaSure.
The Osprey Class Committee are already preparing for the 2024 National Championships to be hosted by Poole Yacht Club, Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th September 2024.
