Horning Sailing Club Junior Regatta and Open Dinghy Weekend 2024
by Holly Hancock 10 Sep 20:36 NZST
7-8 September 2024
Horning Sailing Club Junior Regatta and Open Dinghy Weekend © Paddy Wildman
After the excitement of last weekend at Horning Sailing Club when it hosted the Broadland Youth Regatta, the weekend of 7/8th September was another busy one. With two events taking place - firstly the Junior Regatta on Saturday - an annual celebration of the culmination of the training season - which was attended by 33 young people sailing everything from Optimists to Lasers, and secondly Open Dinghy Weekend - which welcomed some visiting sailors to take part - sailed on the River Saturday afternoon and on Hoveton Little Broad on Sunday.
Saturday was overcast with very light winds, providing a stark contrast to the previous weekend's activities, but this served as a good confidence builder, with almost every sailor completing every race - some of them racing for the very first time.
Racing across four fleets, the first group to sail were the most experienced sailors in the fast handicap race; with four wins during the day, this was won by Jasmine Herring sailing her Laser Radial, with Julian Mander in his Splash second after taking two second and two third positions. Third overall was Charlie Gould sailing his Laser Radial with a second and two third places.
The Toppers were split into two fleets, dependent on experience, and amongst the more experienced sailors, first place went to Oliver Bessant with three wins during the day, second was Oli Smith, and third Lily Herring. In the second Topper fleet, first was Isla Frary, with Thomas Beckham second and Anna Russell third.
The Optimists (and RS Teras) were also fiercely contended with a fleet of 11, and no one sailor dominating the fleet. After four races, it was Jake Brown who emerged as winner, followed closely by Jenson Hardingham in second, with Rose Herring third, all sailing Optimists.
It was also encouraging to see many of Horning's young sailors coaching on the day, having come through the training programme to teach the next generation of sailors. The Endeavour Award for effort went to Oli Roberts sailing his Laser, who persevered throughout the day despite having only recently started sailing.
On Sunday, racing continued on Hoveton Little Broad in warm sunshine and a stronger breeze. A variety of boats from Wayfarers to Toppers, Enterprises to Lasers and Splashes sailed, with Edward Wildman winning the Allcomers B class in his Laser with two first and two second places to take the Onyx Barometer, Hannant Tankards and Tino Trophy, ahead of James Street also sailing a Laser.
Sailing an Enterprise, Hamish Harmer and Ellie Thwaites won the Broads Area Trophy for helm under 20 years of age in Enterprises, along with the Flirtatious Cup for helm and crew, and also the Cadet Trophy. Amongst the Allcomers C, four wins in her Topper was enough for Lily Herring to secure the overall win and the Cadet Cup and Kingfisher Trophy, with Oliver Bessant second, and Edward Street third.