A magic weekend at Ramsgate for Magic Moments after a retirement in the Fastnet!

by Paul Wood 11 Aug 2023 03:19 NZST

East Anglian Offshore Racing Association had 10 of their regular competitors race in this year's challenging Fastnet. Only three yachts completed the course. One being Woozle Hunter who was second in class IRC 4B, they also won the Fastnet one design Hobo trophy - well done to them.

A big congratulations also goes out to the following two EAORA boats:

• Jameerah 6th in IRC 2A Simon Ruffles
• Spirit 11th in class IRC 4A Paul Scott

Paul Scott with Spirit over the years has been a stalwart supporter of the Fastnet and Simon Ruffles on Jameerah was truly focused to complete the course after his near catastrophic keel problems in 2021, Social media enjoyed possibly one of the best crew comments onboard Jameerah it read.

"Even if I die of seasickness - do not retire."

With Magic Moments retiring from the Fastnet, this gave them time to regroup and repair what was necessary for the passage race to Ramsgate from Harwich on Saturday 5th August followed by the traditional Royal Temple YC's Round the Goodwins on Sunday the 6th August.

Entries were at an all-time low for EAORA for the race to Ramsgate, the committee believe this was really down to 10 of their regular yachts getting more than a good bashing competing in the Fastnet, with possible crew shortages and outstanding repairs so a few of our regulars it just wasn't to be with this weekend being so soon after the carnage events on the south coast.

The weather was being monitored by the race committee leading up to this weekend with Storm Antoni arriving on Saturday. 34 Knots was recorded off the North foreland yet Andy & Pelham Etherington pressed on in Magic Moments a sigma 33, Tiente Forte a Sintesi 45 owned by Simon Farren also completed the course and was first boat to finish, but on corrected time the Amazon Cup was awarded to Magic Moments. Cumara owned by Gavin Atliff retired, but arrived safely.

On Sunday it was time for the Royal Temples YC's Round the Goodwins. The race was delayed for Storm Antoni to head further East, after a delayed start and an inshore course the best EAORA yacht getting the Brave Trophy went to Magic Moments. Unfortunately, due to Rudder problems and an injury Tiente Forte was towed into the harbour by the Ramsgate Lifeboat.

With only four races to finish the season Magic Moments stands at the top of the leaderboard.

The next EAORA race is the Janes Cup & Thames Estuary shield on August 19th & 20th Burnham to Medway and back again on Sunday.

Full details at www.eaora.org.uk