This years Beach Regatta was held over the weekend of the 28th and 29th June. It was a weekend of contrasting weather, very warm and windy on Saturday, cooler and a calmer on Sunday (but still warm). This provided a good range of sailing conditions for the competitors. Held in conjunction with open events for the Phantom and RS Vareos, the club’s promenade and beach were busy with boats and locals enjoying the lovely weather conditions we are currently experiencing.
Saturday’s racing was held in a F3-4 offshore wind with big shifts and gusts throughout the day resulting in several capsizes.
Preparing the launch
The fleet were split into two with the 13 strong Phantom fleet starting first and the Vareos joining the Regatta fleet in the second start with sixteen entries.
Despite a long absence from the class Will Gulliver dominated the racing in the Phantom fleet taking all three wins. The next four places were hotly contested between , Richard Nurse, Bill Taylor, Alan Husk and GYGSC Commodore Nick Favell, finishing the day within a few points of each other.
In the Regatta fleet Roger Wilson, sailing a Streaker started the day well with two race wins. Paul Jarvey, sailing a Solution was the more consistent finishing the day one point ahead of Roger with Chris Abbott, sailing an RS Vareo one point behind.
Plenty of action during Saturdays racing
After sailing and with boats packed away for the night we soaked up the sun sitting outside the club, sampling a few beers and sharing stories of what might have been if only……. It’s fair to say the Phantom fleet easily out gunned the rest on the drinking front. Full marks to the GYGSC ‘Catering Team’ who apart from working tirelessly all day, also prepared a splendid evening meal for all the competitors.
Sunday provided cooler and calmer conditions with a F2-3 from the NE. HW was scheduled at midday, with the tide still flooding as the racing started. This encouraged everyone, well almost everyone to stay inshore up the beat and attempt to correctly time the tack out to the windward mark. Offshore the tide was ripping but eased during the days racing
Phantoms making their upwind
Will proved he was a master of both heavy and lighter conditions taking another two wins before returning to shore leaving the rest to fight the final race. This turned into a battle between Richard Nurse and Bill Taylor who, after five races were tie on points. Richard took line honours to take second place overall, making is a 1-2 for Northampton SC, with Bill, from Creeksea SC second, and third overall.
Regatta fleet head downwind. The Phantom fleet heading upwind
Phil Highfield joined the Regatta fleet for Sunday and promptly won the first race. Paul Jarvey continued his good form and with Dave Houghton, sailing a RS Vareo were second and third having been neck and neck most of the race with Paul crossing the line three seconds ahead of Dave.
Roger found his pace again in race five, finishing with the Solutions to take the race win. Phil, finishing over two minutes ahead but was second on corrected time. Richard Brown, sailing a Solution took third position, three seconds ahead of Paul.
In the final race the wind shifted a little. Dave made the most of this on the off wind legs taking a win over Phil, with the ever consistent Paul third.
Consistency paid with Paul overall winner with five top three finishes and 11 points. Roger second, just one point behind and Chris third on 20 points.
Many thanks to all the volunteers who spent the weekend helping with the smooth running of the event. In particular the members of the RNSYC who assisted with the safety cover on both days.
Full results on the club website http://gygsc.org.uk/results/2025-results/
More pictures on the club Flickr site
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gygsc/albums/
Many thanks to the team who looked after us so well all weekend.