Torpoint Mosquito Sailing Club's Summer Regatta 2023

Torpoint Mosquito Summer Regatta © Joe Hearn

As the year progresses and we head toward the autumn it's time for Mosquito regatta. Our club sailors have been travelling far and wide to various open meetings and championships, spreading the word and trying to encourage some return visits. Unfortunately the weather forecast put off quite a few of the anticipated travellers, along with a few of the local sailors.

Race Officer Dee Casey-Brown, with her assistants, was set up for Saturday, using the club start line in a s'westerly breeze of 20 - 24 kts there was a decent beat set to the large yellow windward mark, passing to port, broad reach to the West Mud channel buoy, back up the River Tamar to the Ferry buoy. With a strong ebb tide it was crucial to maintain a keen eye on the start line so as not to be forced over.

The handicap fleet set off, minus I must say, one of their star players, who, despite being at the briefing, didn't listen and thought he was in the 3rd start, unfortunately there was only two. The fleet was led off by local sailor Nik Lye in his Phantom, they disappeared from view behind the marina as the Solos readied themselves for their start, meanwhile the miscreant from the handicap fleet was just launching.

Countdown well under way the Solos were lining up, the youth contingent (under 50's) led by Charlie Nunn were champing at the bit, following the same course as the handicap fleet, shortly after our missing handicap sailor decided to join the fray. With a hefty breeze it was inevitable that some capsizes would be the order of the day and so it proved.

A couple of laps proved sufficient and the handicap fleet were led home by Nik Lye with visitor Mark Spruce Phantom) in 2nd, the other 2 Phantoms following, Lawrie Mather in his laser radial taking 5th, our late starter, showing his worth taking a 6th from the 9 starters.

Meanwhile the Solos were playing a game of nip & tuck, capsizes a plenty along with one retirement, it was the newly slimmed down Charlie Nunn taking the bullet, followed by Enterprise maestro Darren Roach and our sailing secretary Steve Roberts.

Race 2 was in sequence within a few minutes, the handicap fleet having had a short break they were soon off again, same course, similar breeze. It was the young buck Alex Carr (Phantom) who led off this time, closely followed by Simon Hawkes (K1) & Nik Lye, negotiating the tide here can be very tricky, a few boat lengths too far and you may well find a back eddy, costing you dearly.

The Solos were now champing at the bit, difficult for some as they don't have many teeth left, but it was the golden haired Nunn that was flying, obviously boat tuned for the conditions and optimum body weight of 90 kilos, Vernon Perkins you would have possibly had not to hike!

Lunch break, where the biggest discussion was whether it was jam or cream first, didn't really apply for a pasty l thought.

Race 3 was to be a longer race time wise, to give the sailors chance to revel in the abating winds, now only reading 16-18 kts. Off they went, crowding the start, Simon Hawkes now getting his act together in the K1 in the mix, still enough wind to make it hard work up wind. The phantoms were giving their all, the 420 from Tamar River SC now showing it's fun factor the two youngsters revelling in the conditions.

Solos away, again the blonde bombshell from the Cornish Riviera is showing his heels as the race progresses. It's tight racing again in both fleets but it's the young bucks who take the bullets, Alex Carr in the handicap and Charlie Nunn in the Solos.

At the end of day one with one discard kicking in it was Alex Carr, Nik Lye and Mark Spruce taking top spots in the handicap with Charlie Nunn, Steve Roberts and Darren Roach in the Solos.

Sunday 20th Race 4: With a nice sw'ly of 6-8 kts and only 2 races scheduled the prospect of sending the fleets up the Tamar was appealing, past the tanker berths on the south side and the Naval dockyard to the North, Camel Head here they come. The handicap fleet well behaved but it was Hawkes on the button and away, putting his weed problems of yesterday behind him, Phantoms close on his stern.

The Solos meanwhile, still fortified from the beer the night before were pushing the line and it was a general recall, much to the RO's disgust as the world cup final was just starting. Hey ho, back into sequence and a chastened bunch were well back this time. From our lofty position in the race hut we can observe the boats cross the chain ferries, but nothing the other side.

It was a while before we saw the Phantoms of Carr & Lye returning, interesting watch as Nik caught the bottom twice costing him dearly. The K1 was doing well and keeping well away from the shallows and weed banks. The Solos were running back into view with the light wind specialist Steve Mitchell leading over Darren Roach.

At the Gun it was the Phantoms of Carr & Lye but the K1 of Hawkes takes it on handicap. The Solos were shortened but it was still Mitchell then Roach followed by the line pusher Roger Gibb.

Mid race entertainment was supplied by Soloist Roger Gibb who, whilst going forward to retrieve chocolate from his stock, decided to practice his capsize drill and merrily floated upside down through the moored yachts, losing his precious saltire burgee on the way.

Race 5 was a shorter course windward-leeward in the diminishing tide. Great starting from all the boats, very close to the line, although the Solos did hang back a touch for their start. It was Simon in the K1 who took the honours with Nik in the Phantom in 2nd and Alex 3rd. The Solos finishing Steve Mitchell, Roger Gibb then Darren.

A successful two days with two discards to allow the Saturday sailors to get three races to count.

Torpoint Mosquito Summer Regatta - photo © Steve Roberts

Fast Fleet Results:

Solo Class Results: