Please select your home edition
Edition
U-DECK 2023 - No.4 728x90 TOP

30th Broadland Youth Regatta at Horning Sailing Club

by Holly Hancock 2 Sep 16:28 NZST 31 August 2024

In its 30th year of this Broadland event, the Norfolk & Suffolk Boating Association's (NSBA) Broadland Youth Regatta was hosted at Horning Sailing Club (HSC) on the Norfolk Broads on Saturday 31st August 2024.

Held at HSC's base in Horning for the very first time in its history, it attracted 99 young sailors in 88 boats from 8 Broadland clubs, ranging from those in their first few weeks of sailing to those far more experienced, and all aged under 19 years.

HSC is based on a small island on the bend of the River Bure in Horning, and with the number of boats arriving it was going to be a logistical challenge, but it was quite a sight to see every inch of the Island surrounded by dinghies - from Optimists to RS Fevas, Toppers to Lasers and more. Managing racing also took a different format, with the fleets split to participate on both the River and Hoveton Little Broad, which was popular with the young sailors who all experienced both and enjoyed the variety of sailing.

With the forecast for winds to increase during the day, the afternoon was expected to be the most challenging, but it turned out to be the morning, with huge gusts passing through - at one point taking out most of the fleet on the Broad. The more experienced sailors raced on the Broad, mainly in Lasers, RS Fevas, Splashes and faster dinghies, who enjoyed planing up and down, with capsizes a-plenty, forcing several retirements.

Meanwhile, the 33-strong fleet of Toppers and slow handicap fleet of Optimists, RS Teras, a Gull and Mirror dinghy sailed on the river whilst it was quieter from day boats, similarly seeing many capsizes and retirements - both courses keeping the volunteer rescue boats extremely busy, before swapping venues for the afternoon series.

As the day went on, some young sailors counted upwards of 20 capsizes and for all who took part there was a great sense of achievement. Amongst the challenges there were also some comical moments, particularly during the last Laser race, where a boat capsized right on the finish line and inadvertently took the final turning buoy with them, meaning that the Race Officer had to think both creatively and fast to direct the sailors where to turn before it was promptly put back in place!

Amongst the individual results, The Allcomers B Fleet was won by HSC's Hamish Harmer sailing his Splash, with Beccles Amateur Sailing Club (BASC)'s Sam Johnson and Freya Welham second in a Firefly. Third was HSC's Anya Gittins also sailing her Splash. The Allcomers C fleet saw Waveney & Oulton Broad Yacht Club (WOBYC) dominate the results, taking the top 6 places in the fleet - won by Will Keys-Batson, with Isaac Thomas second and Hugh Walker third, all sailing Optimists.

In the Lasers, there was sibling rivalry between Ellie and Tom Thwaites - Ellie sailing for Snowflake Sailing Club (SFSC), and Tom for Norfolk Broads Yacht Club (NBYC). Both with two first places, on countback it was Ellie who won the fleet, with Tom second despite coming back from a spectacular capsize at the start of the third race to win that race, and Henry Weymss of SFSC third.

Due to the high number of entrants, the Toppers sailed in two flights, and overall were won by Jenson Jakob with three wins sailing for SFSC, with Nate Sparrow of WOBYC second and Isobelle Johnson of BASC third.

After four races, taking the highly sought after Centenary Salver for first-placed team, were WOBYC, with SFSC and HSC equal on points - on countback, second place went to SFSC, with host Club HSC third.

The Lady Mayhew Trophy for 'Endeavour, applying the greatest effort in a spirit of sport, determination and fun', was awarded to Chevvy Bulldeath of HSC, sailing his first Regatta in a Topper. The Whelpton Cup for the most successful double-handed boat went to Sam Johnson and Freya Welham of BASC sailing their Firefly.

Overall, it was a challenging but rewarding day for the young sailors, who had the opportunity to try something different, push themselves and have fun - all in the spirit of the event.

Thanks go to all the many volunteers who helped out over the day and many thanks also to our generous sponsors for supporting the event: Norfolk Yacht Agency (NYA), the University of East Anglia (UEA), Jeckells and Son Ltd, BeWILDerwood, Herbert Woods, Onboard, UEA Sailing/Sportspark and Heat Different.

Find full fleet results here and Team results here.

Related Articles

Bay of Islands Sailing Week is calling
Bay of Islands Sailing Week is calling - regular entries close on December 31 Seasoned sailors Rob Bassett and Brett Russell are rallying competitors to join what Peter Montgomery has called “the best-big boat regatta in NZ” as entries roll in for the 2025 Bay of Islands Sailing Week (BOISW). Posted on 12 Nov
SLAM ETNZ Deck Hoody - Now just €50
Price Drop: SLAM ETNZ Deck Hoody: Was €120 | Now €50 - Order yours today! Price Drop: SLAM ETNZ Deck Hoody: WAS €120 | NOW €50 - Order yours today! Ideal Xmas gift for America's Cup fans! Get your souvenir hoody on the America's Cup champion! Posted on 7 Nov
Vendee Globe: 'Crazy Kiwi' racing on renewables
Conrad Colman plans on repeating his 2015/26 feat racing without the use of fossil fuel In the 2016 Vendee Globe, Conrad Colman became the first competitor in Vendee Globe history to finish without using a drop of fossil fuel during his circumnavigation. He plans on repeating the feat in the upcoming Vendee Globe race. Posted on 30 Oct
Predictwind is official partner of Vendee Globe
PredictWind will bring fans into the Vendée Globe action with a world-first Race Weather Centre Global leader in marine weather forecasting, PredictWind, has announced its official partnership with IMOCA - one of the fastest and most exciting offshore yacht racing classes - to become the exclusive Weather Data Supplier for the Vendée Globe 2024. Posted on 22 Oct
NZ Marine industry celebrates Am Cup Defence
NZ marine technology and innovation is used both by its own and other teams contesting the Cup While New Zealand sailors are considered among the world's best, the country's marine technology and innovation is used both by its own team, and by the teams contesting the America's Cup. Posted on 19 Oct
New facilities attract more superyachts to NZ
Superyacht attraction initiatives paying off as NZ Marine reports $212m superyacht economic boost A new report shows superyacht visitors injected $212m into the New Zealand economy in the 2023/4 season. The report has been released as New Zealand ramps up its superyacht attraction initiatives. Posted on 11 Oct
Cup Spy - Finals - Who dares, wins
The AC75 proved its ability to provide compelling viewing, match racing at speeds touching 55kts Critics of the AC75 and its suitability as a match racer for the America's Cup should be eating their words after Sunday's Blinder in Barcelona Posted on 30 Sep
Check the rules before summer boating starts 
Marine biosecurity teams are reminding boaties and all marine users to make sure they are across mar Marine biosecurity teams are reminding boaties and all marine users to make sure they are across marine pest risks and rules before heading out on the water this summer. Posted on 24 Sep
17 NZ marinas now on ‘Clean Marina journey'
Kiwi marinas make big steps in environmental performance : 17 marinas now on ‘Clean Marina journey' The $540 million marina and boatyard industry is on a mission to minimise its environmental impact, particularly in relation to coastal water quality. Posted on 21 Sep
Southern Spars at the Monaco Yacht Show
From America's Cup technology to the World's largest sailing catamaran: Connect with Southern Spars The Monaco Yacht Show is the showcase event for innovation in the superyacht industry and as the global leader in high-performance composite rig technology for luxury yachts, Southern Spars is excited to attend again in 2024. Posted on 19 Sep
TNI Pindar SW Ads_728x90px-6 BOTTOMMotomuck SaltyMuck Static 728 x 90 px BOTTOMSOUTHERN-SPARS-OFFICIAL-SUPPLIER-52-SS728-X-90 Bottom