With early tides we were not expecting many dinghies for Friday and Saturday’s inshore Regatta, however we were pleasantly surprised, particularly on Friday to have some boats in all 6 starts. Courses on Friday were shorter than ideal but with the tide already ebbing, it was the best we could do. Henry Saner was the only finisher in the Oppy race and because they were late arriving the two Teras from BHYC went in the Slow Handicap race. Having made the best start, Martyn Davies lead the seven Scows and finished just over a minute ahead of Oliver Morgan with his wife Francesca third. If you include the two Teras, there were six in the Slow Handicap. Christian & Polly Schafer in Swan 11 did not take long to get round the course and win on handicap ahead of Leo Saner and his crew Eddy Clegg sailing a Fusion. Clive and Tone Spash in Swan 17 was third. The five ILCA 4 (4.7 in old terminology) had a close race with Henry Landon finishing 25 seconds ahead of Robert Weir with Matthew Chetwood third. Only two Fevas which saw victory for Laura Watson with two of her children crewing. Alex Downer’s ILCA 7 (full rig in old money) was the boat to beat in the Fast Handicap; Tony Burton crewed by George Hall came the closest in a Laser 2 but was still a minute behind on corrected time.

Saturday morning initially looked as if racing would have to be cancelled, however it was decided to give it a go but keep the course contained using Pepe, Garland and Nainby. Although they went at the end of the sequence as they missed their earlier slot, the Oppy and Tera from SVYC and the Tera from BHYC (Henry Cook) had a challenging race. Although well ahead, the Tera from SVYC had a problem with the rig on the second round and retired leaving Henry to pick up another first place. Full marks to the Oppy sailor who, despite a capsize, persevered and was finished as the winner early. Martyn Davies again lead the Scows (8) almost from the start and after a challenging race, particularly the tricky run from Pepe to Garland, crossed the finish line at Pepe just under 30 seconds ahead of Billy Clegg with Oliver Morgan third twenty seconds later. Swan 17 was the only entry in the Slow Handicap so the Spash family were able to sail at their own pace and picked up another prize. Henry Landon finished well ahead of Robert Weir in the ILCA 4 race. Paloma Crutchfield & Ella Trimble were clearly thoroughly enjoying themselves in the single Feva and although offered a finish after two rounds they kept going and completed all three. Set four rounds of the same course, the Fast Handicap certainly had their work cut out. Although always in the lead, Alex Downer in his ILCA 7 was unable to get far enough ahead of Harry & Charlie White in their ILCA 5s (radials) to win on corrected time.

Optimist & RS Tera (Friday) – Henry Saner (Oppy) & Henry Cook (Tera)

Optimist & RS Tera (Saturday) – from SVYC (Oppy) & Henry Cook (Tera)

Scows (Friday & Saturday) – Martyn Davies

Slow Handicap (Friday) – Swan 11 (Christian & Polly Schafer)

Slow Handicap (Saturday) – Swan 17 (Clive & Tone Spash

ILCA 4 (Friday & Saturday) – Henry Landon

RS Feva (Friday) – Laura Watson & children

RS Feva (Saturday) – Paloma Crutchfield & Ella Trimble

Fast Handicap (Friday) – ILCA 7 (Alex Downer)