Regatta 2007 Report

This year's Dinghies@RYYC Regatta, falling as it did between two major open events - the Snipe National Championships and the Dart 18 Grand Prix meeting - was designated as a members' sailing weekend and a good number of members took the opportunity to camp at Blyth Park and enjoy the holiday atmosphere. The racing programme was informal and the details of each day's racing were worked out on the spot. Although there plenty of people engaging in non-racing activities, it turned out that the main thrust of the weekend was a 7-race series of Dart 18 class races. No other kind of boat turned out, so it was a straightforward contest of Dart against Dart. The racing was characterised by plenty of place changing and close quarters work making it a really enjoyable series.

The first race on saturday morning involved a beach start where the crew held the boats in the water and the helms started some 100m up the beach at a gallop (or in some cases more of a shamble). After a break ashore for lunch a more conventional race was held in the afternoon. In both cases the wind was adequate.

On Sunday after a conventional first race in the South Bay, the fleet broke for an early lunch and then set off on a pair of Pub races. These involved racing from Blyth Park to mark 3 in the North Bay and then landing for a pint or two of refreshments at the Expanse Hotel bar. I am always impressed by the sang froid of the Expanse staff on these occasions. When a dozen or so wet people in soggy sailing gear wander into their carpeted lounge unannounced not an eyelid is batted. After half an hour or so a race back to Blyth Park was started. Not quite a beach start this time, more a just offshore start from a stationary position. That made three races on Sunday, all with trapezing winds.

The Bank Holday itself dawned overcast and seemed to promise lots of wind. However, the first of the two back-to-back races scheduled was sailed in light to zero winds and major wind shifts. It was getting to the stage where crews were wondering if it was really worth staying out for the second race. As it happened the wind rose right on cue, and the final race of the regatta was sailed in exciting reaching conditions. Matt and Duncan made an attempt to submerge near the finish, but were so far ahead that even if thy had completed the attempt they would still have won!

An excellent weekend's sailing as well as a relaxing social occasion as opposed to the traditional stressful open regatta with lots of visitors.

Detailed results: