Nore Race 2009 at Benfleet Yacht Club
by Paul Field 21 Jul 2009 20:34 NZST
18 July 2009
Sponsored by Dauntless Boatyard
Benfleet Yacht Club held their annual Nore Race, sponsored by Dauntless Boat Yard, on Saturday 18th July in the Thames Estuary starting from Southend Pier.
The weather forecast was for strong winds with gusts of force 7, which provided the race officer with some difficult decisions to make, resulting in the cancellation of the monohull dinghy classes and sending the remainder of the fleet on the shorter up-river course. Both the race control team and the safety boat crews had their work cut out and did a sterling job throughout the event to provide full safety cover for all of the competitors.
A total of 150 boats had previously entered the race, but due to a combination of the forecasted wind strength and the cancellation of the mono-hull dinghy classes, only 75 boats started. Many found the conditions of strong and gusting wind and choppy waters during the race heavy going so opted for an early exit, leaving a total of 52 boats to complete the 13 mile course.
The fleet was led by 'LT Grafix.co.uk', a Tornado Sport class catamaran dinghy, sailed by Lloyd Turner, who completed the entire course in just under 1 ¼ hours. The first cruising yacht home was 'Flying Dragon', a Dragonfly 920 trimaran, from Essex Yacht Club, who finished in just over 1 ¾ hours.
The last boat to finish was the monohull cruiser "Go Well", a 19' 10" long Norfolk Gypsie traditional style gaff rigged cruiser sailed by K Williams from Thorpe Bay Yacht club, taking 4 hours 51 minutes. Go Well crossed the finish line to the traditional firing of the cannon to signify the last boat finishing, plus a round of applause by the race team from up on the top deck of Southend Pier.
Congratulations should be given to all who took part in this race, which is the largest sail boat race in the South East of England. The full results can be seen on www.benfleetyachtclub.org . The Prize Giving will take place at Benfleet Yacht Club on Friday 24th July commencing at 8pm, where photographs taken on the day will be displayed and Barbeque food will be available.