HIGHCLIFFE Sailing Club’s Gary Langdown trumped former world champion Stuart Jones on his way to victory in the Contender Open at Eastbourne last weekend.

Langdown secured top-three finishes in each of his six races across Saturday and Sunday, while club colleague and early pacesetter Simon Mussell finished third behind Jones (Datchet Water SC), who enjoyed a late flourish.

Winds from 10-15 knots provided the perfect conditions for Mussell to win the first two races with second spot behind Langdown achieved in the third on the opening day.

Langdown, who went into Sunday in second spot ahead of Jones, turned the tables turned in much lighter, shifty winds and took the honours in race number four.

Jones, aboard Green Floaty Thing, went on to take the final two race wins.

Highcliffe’s in-form duo return to home waters this weekend when their club hosts the Contender Southern Championship.

Overall results: (top six) 1 Gary Langdown (Highcliffe) 8.0, 2 Stuart Jones (Datchet Water SC) 10.0, 3 Simon Mussell (Highcliffe) 19.0, 4 Peter Dives (Eastbourne SSC) 21.0, 5 Carl Tonge (Oxford SC) 23.0, 6 Tony Brooks (Oxford SC) 31.0.

  • Royal Lymington Sailing Club will hold special sessions to commemorate the 30th anniversary of their Junior Sailing Community Programme on Wednesday.

A pair of two-hour sessions will take place from 2-4pm and 4-6pm, featuring races involving various sailing configurations with streamers, balloons and rubber ducks, as well as the presentation of a new boat.