75th Anniversary Beach Regatta & Vareo Open

For the 75^th anniversary Beach Regatta we were joined by Phantoms and Vareos and with nearly thirty entries in total it ensured a busy time for the volunteers who were running the event, both onshore and off shore.

Several visitors opted to arrive early on Friday evening and once their boats were unpacked and rigged in the dinghy park they decided to enjoy a group Fish & Chip supper on the prom in front of the club.

Despite two locals unable to attend, eleven Vareos entered with just over half from local clubs and the furthest visitor travelling from Pevensey Bay SC. Sixteen boats completed in the Beach Regatta, with visitors from WOBYC, HBSC and Creeksea SC.

Saturday – what has been up to now a typical summers day

Despite the forecast suggesting otherwise, Saturday dawned overcast and a bit chilly. There was a good F3 from the SSE and the ebb tide had just kicked in as the boats launched. During the day the sea state became quite choppy providing a tough and tiring day for all.

Preparing for racing

Saturday

Race 1

With eleven entries, the Vareo fleet were given their own start. After the start Dave & Howard were first to tack inshore and had a good lead after lap one. James led the chasing pack with Luke hot on his tail. Luke’s upwind pace saw him overtake James and put him just behind Howard at the windward mark. Dave just hung onto his lead at the finish and Luke just pipped Howard across the line with James fourth.

Vareos approach the windward mark

The Beach Regatta fleet started immediately after the Vareos. Visitors and last year’s winners, Roger and Jamie, sailing their Osprey took an early lead which they extended throughout the race. Spoiler alert, this was to become a regular occurrence in subsequent races!

Nick (Phantom) led the rest of the fleet after lap one with Adam & Jordan (RS400) close behind. At the line the RS400 finished a minute ahead of two Phantoms with Nick holding off a chasing Ben. In the Solution battle Ian managed to keep ahead of Paul with these two finishing second and third on corrected time, seven minutes behind the Osprey!

Team Osprey catches up with the Vareo fleet

Race 2

Vareos – Luke led from start to finish, starting an impressive run of four race wins. Alan led the ‘rest’ after lap one with James next. After lap two Alan held a small lead over Nick who had sneaked pass James. On the final lap Nick managed to pass Alan and Chris jumping from seventh on lap one to fourth at the line.

Regatta – the Osprey had a lonely race a long way ahead of the fleet. Adam & Jordan headed the rest after lap one with Nick just ahead of Jamie, sailing a Contender. At the finish the RS400 had a lead of two and a half minutes over Nick with Warren, sailing a Phantom next.

Another win for the Osprey on corrected time, Nick second and the RS400 third.

Team Osprey in action

Race 3

Vareos – another win for Luke, Alan showed good upwind speed to lead the rest of the fleet after lap one, followed by James and Howard. On lap two James had moved up to second with Alan holding off Howard. On the final lap Howard moved up to third and Dave ‘stole’ fourth from Alan on the line after a good final downwind leg.

Racing on a summers day !

Regatta- Team Osprey was destined to another lonely race, quickly establishing a good lead. The RS400 led the pack with Nick close behind and Ben next, these positions remained unchanged to the finish. On corrected time the Ospreys lead had been reduced to three minutes, Nick in second and Paul the first Solution in third.

Preparing for another start

Once ashore everyone congregated around the clubhouse awaiting the delights of the ‘catering’ team who provided a splendid three course meal, despite the best efforts of the club electrics to hamper their cooking! Thankfully, by this time the clouds had almost cleared, providing much warmer conditions and around thirty visitors and members enjoyed an al fresco dinner and drinks.

Still a bit nippy but at least the sun was shining

Sunday

Another day and what a contrast, it felt like summer had eventually arrived. Cloudless skies, temperature in the high teens, a pleasant F2 from the East and a very flat sea. We launched just before HW so there was still a little flood tide running. Today was going to be one for keeping your eye on the tide at each mark.

Sunday – what a difference !

Race 4

Vareos – Luke started the day where he left off, leading from start to finish. Paul led the rest after lap one with Nick not far behind, Howard in fourth with Keith a short way behind. The lighter conditions saw many place changes on the final lap, Paul held second place at the finish with Howard moving up to third and James fourth.

Regatta – After lap one the Osprey was two minutes ahead. Steve, who was getting some practice in his D-One before their forthcoming Nationals was second with Ben and Adam & Jordan rounding the leeward gate neck and neck. At the finish the Ospreys lead had been reduced to less than one minute by the D-One, Ben led Adam & Jordan across the line with Richard, sailing his Solution crossing the line with Simon & Bruce, sailing a RS400. On corrected time it was a good race for the Solutions with Richard and Paul taking the top two places with the Osprey having to settle for third.

Getting ready to launch

Race 5

Vareos – By the start it was slack water with the ebb tide kicking in mid race. Luke did a horizon job, timing his tacks to the windward mark to perfection. James led the rest followed by Howard, Chris and Nick. On lap two nearly everyone struggled to round the windward mark without having to put in a few extra tacks as the wind dropped for a while, but despite this and with the exception of Howard overtaking James, places remained pretty much same to the finish.

Regatta – Team Osprey were back to their winning ways, although not far ahead of the RS400’s on lap one they extended their lead on lap two sufficiency to win on corrected time. Ben led the battle of the Phantoms, followed by Nick. After lap one Richard led Paul by a few seconds in the Solution battle, but on lap two opened up a small lead. On corrected time, second place went to Ben with Phil, sailing his classic Harrier claiming a respectable third place – not sure which is older, the boat or the helm!

Racing starts for the Vareo fleet

Race 6

Vareos – by this time the ebb tide was noticeable. The fleet were fairly split with some opting to go offshore where there seemed a little more wind, but with the risk of more tide. As it turned out the two leading boats, Howard and Dave both went offshore and rounded the windward mark with a short lead, with Luke next followed by James and Chris. On the final lap Howard ‘stormed’ up the beat opening up a huge lead and Dave managed to finally time a tack to the windward mark well (first time all weekend !) to have a comfortable lead over Luke. In fact the top five places remained the same. Paul and Richard both had better second beats pulling up two places.

Regatta – Team Osprey obviously content with their own company raced off to a seven minute lead at the finish. Ben led the pack holding a twenty to thirty second lead over Warren throughout the race. Less than a minute separated the three Solutions with Paul, having opened up a two and a half minute lead after lap one holding off a charging Richard by thirty seconds.

So Team Osprey won the final race on corrected time with the Phantoms of Ben and Warren claiming the other podium places.

The Regatta fleet are off !

By the time we returned to shore the temperature was probably in the twenties, making for a very pleasant end to the day. The catering team provided more food with many discussing what went right, but mainly wrong over a drink. A lovely end to the event, Costa Del Gorleston producing the good weather to end the day.

The Club Commodore presented the prizes to the fleets. Roger Blake, on behalf of the visitors thanking all the volunteers and the club for putting on a great event. Despite our the size of the club. our members manage to host great events, yes many people worked hard both in the organising and implementing of it but demonstrates the commitment of everyone. So big thanks to all the volunteers involved, whether it be in the clubhouse, onshore or offshore on the RIBS. A special thankyou to Julian and crew from Hickling who kindly volunteered to help both days.