75th anniversary Beach Regatta at Great Yarmouth & Gorleston Sailing Club

Roger and Jamie Blake win the Great Yarmouth & Gorleston SC 75th Anniversary Beach Regatta © GYGSC

The Great Yarmouth & Gorleston SC 75th anniversary Beach Regatta was held over the weekend of 22nd and 23rd June. The Regatta fleet were joined by Phantoms and Vareos ensuring a busy time for the event volunteers, both on shore and off shore. There was quite a diverse range of classes ranging from an A-Class catamaran to a classic Harrier dinghy. The most travelled visitor was Vareo sailor Alan Bassett who had travelled up from Pevensey Bay SC.

Despite the forecast suggesting otherwise, Saturday dawned overcast and a bit chilly. There was a good F3 from the SSE and the ebb tide had just kicked in as the boats launched. There were small waves to start but eventually become moderate providing a tough and tiring day for most.

Race 1 - The Regatta fleet started immediately after the Vareos. Visitors and last year's winners, Roger and Jamie, sailing their Osprey took an early lead which they extended throughout the race. Spoiler alert, this was to become a regular occurrence in subsequent races!

Nick (Phantom) led the rest of the fleet after lap one with Adam & Jordan (RS400) close behind. At the line the RS400 finished a minute ahead of two Phantoms with Nick holding off a chasing Ben. In the Solution battle Ian managed to keep ahead of Paul with these two finishing second and third on corrected time, seven minutes behind the Osprey!

Race 2 - The Osprey had a lonely race a long way ahead of the fleet. Adam & Jordan headed the rest after lap one with Nick just ahead of Jamie, sailing a Contender. At the finish the RS400 had a lead of two and a half minutes over Nick with Warren, sailing a Phantom next.

Another win for the Osprey on corrected time, Nick second and the RS400 third.

Great Yarmouth & Gorleston SC 75th Anniversary Beach Regatta - photo © GYGSC

Race 3 - Team Osprey was destined to another lonely race, quickly establishing a good lead. The RS400 led the pack with Nick close behind and Ben next, these positions remained unchanged to the finish. On corrected time the Ospreys lead had been reduced to three minutes, Nick in second and Paul the first Solution in third.

Once ashore everyone congregated around the clubhouse awaiting the delights of the 'catering' team who provided a splendid three course meal, despite the best efforts of the club electrics to hamper their cooking! Thankfully, by this time the clouds had almost cleared, providing much warmer conditions and around thirty visitors and members enjoyed an al fresco dinner and drinks on the prom.

Great Yarmouth & Gorleston SC 75th Anniversary Beach Regatta - photo © GYGSC

Sunday - Another day and what a contrast, it felt like summer had eventually arrived. Cloudless skies, temperature in the high teens, a pleasant F2 from the East and a very flat sea. We launched just before HW so there was still a little flood tide running. Today was going to be one for keeping your eye on the tide at each mark.

Race 4 - After lap one the Osprey was two minutes ahead. Steve, who was getting some practice in his D-One before their forthcoming Nationals was second with Ben and Adam & Jordan rounding the leeward gate neck and neck. At the finish the Ospreys lead had been reduced to less than one minute by the D-One, Ben lead Adam & Jordan across the line with Richard, sailing his Solution crossing the line with Simon & Bruce, sailing a RS400. On corrected time it was a good race for the Solutions with Richard and James taking the top two places with the Osprey having to settle for third.

Race 5 - Team Osprey were back to their winning ways, although not far ahead of the RS400's on lap one they extended their lead on lap two sufficiency to win on corrected time. Ben led the battle of the Phantoms, followed by Nick. After lap one Richard led James by a few seconds in the Solution battle, but on lap two opened up a small lead. On corrected time, second place went to Ben with Phil, sailing his classic Harrier claiming a respectable third place - not sure which is older, the boat or the helm!

Race 6 -Team Osprey obviously content with their own company raced off to a seven minute lead at the finish. Ben led the pack holding a twenty to thirty second lead over Warren throughout the race. Less than a minute separated the three Solutions over the line with Paul, having opened up a two and a half minute lead after lap one holding of a charging Richard by thirty seconds.

So Team Osprey won the final race on corrected time with the Phantoms of Ben and Warren claiming the other podium places.

Great Yarmouth & Gorleston SC 75th Anniversary Beach Regatta - photo © GYGSC

By the time we returned to shore the temperature was probably in the twenties, making for a very pleasant end to the day. The catering team provided more food with many discussing what went right, but mainly wrong over a drink. A lovely end to the event, Costa Del Gorleston producing the lovely weather to end the day.

By the time we returned to shore the temperature was probably in the twenties, making for a very pleasant end to the day as most joined in a late lunch and drinks on the prom. A lovely end to the event, Costa Del Gorleston producing the good weather to end the day.

Nick, the Club Commodore presented the prizes to the fleets. Roger Blake, on behalf of the visitors thanking all the volunteers and the club for putting on a great event.

Roger and Jamie Blake win the Great Yarmouth & Gorleston SC 75th Anniversary Beach Regatta - photo © GYGSC

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