Comet Versa Open - Saturday 12th September 2026
'The second Hampton Sailing Club Comet Regatta & the first Comet Versa Open meeting took place on Saturday 12th September 2026. Although no visitors entered , 9 of the Club's 11 boats competed on a bright & blustery day resulting in some exciting racing . The SW/Wly force 3/4 breeze saw the fleet heading up river for the first leg & then a long reach/run down towards Hurst Park where the wind became very fluky in strength & direction providing a tricky challenge , especially after rounding the leeward mark when sudden gusts caused a few capsizes ! The race offer laid a dog leg on the beat back towards the line to create a short beat from the Middlesex to Surrey banks.
The competition comprised 3 races with the best 2 to count. Two races were held in the morning followed by a fine salad lunch . Phil Dalby in Cherry Pie crewed by Charlie dominated both races followed by James Warren in Petena IV crewed by Elodie & Sammy. with George Bell in Poppy finishing third .
In the afternoon , Phil & Charlie were able to take a more relaxed approach ( including capsizing ! ) having already won the cup . James took full advantage leading George home . Third place was taken by Richard Parslow who was sailing the Club Comet for the first time . After capsizing in the first race & finishing mid-fleet in the second , Richard was getting the measure of how to get the boat going by the third & finished 4th overall behind George. Alex Cosic in Hester crewed by Jade finished on the same number of points after finishing 4th in every race & was a commendable 5th overall. Full results on the Club website.
The race officers Nigel Cooper & Rob Heath & timekeepers Margaret Macarthur & Hilary Dodman did a fine job organising the racing . The excellent catering was provided by Ellen Cooper de Groote & Lizzy Dalby .
Tim Herbert-Smith ( Class Captain ). '
Last updated 2:14pm on 29 September 2026