Report on 2003 Regatta, 2nd - 9th August

Members and visitors this year enjoyed a sun soaked regatta week dominated predominantly by light winds.

The week started on Saturday with the traditional fleet review, this year with the Mayor of Bridlington in attendance. This was followed shortly after by the annual ladies race. The J24s held the advantage in the light winds and as the leading boats approached the finishing line it was Lynne Jones (RSJ) and Sophi Morphet (Justrite) fighting for the The House of Fraser Rosebowl, in the end Lynne Jones took the race by a small margin to get RSJ off to a flying start for the week.

Sunday brought the start of racing proper for the 5 classes, J24's, Squibs, Yorkshire One Designs, IRC and Dinghy Catamarans.

In the hotly contested J24s it was close all week with 4 boats scoring firsts at some stage during the 11 race series. However Rumble ( Ben Williamson) showed that consistency counts to win the series. A close fought battle for second between Riot, Justrite and RSJ continued all week with Justrite (P Wright) taking the Coronation Cup (2nd Overall) on the last day.

The Squibs saw the arrival of new boat Lola for the week, helmed by Derek Higgins and crewed by two times National Champion Tony Saltonstall. Lola took the week by one point following a late revival of Little Demon ( G Dyson) after an indifferent start to their week.

The 105 year old Yorkshire One Design fleet still goes from strength to strength mustering 8 boats for this year's regatta. The week was dominated by Richard Dunk in Patience, the newest YOD in the fleet. Mona ( L Jordon) took second place with John Rix returning to take third with Tito II.

In the IRC fleet, Bee Sharp a Sonata from Scarborough Yacht Club won the week for the second year running with a commanding performance throughout the series. Second was Bridlington boat Merlin ( A Holmes).

The Catamaran trophy was won by Andrew and Tina Frankish on the Hawk class Jolly Rodgered.

In all an excellent week finished by a very late night on Friday as celebrations went on into the early hours and then rounded up with the Regatta Ball on Saturday.

Report written by Ben Williamson