EAORA Buckley Goblets 2024 at West Mersea Yacht Club
by Paul Wood 25 Sep 01:23 NZST
13-14 September 2024
On Friday 13th September it was the final race of the Offshore series for EAORA. It turned out to be lucky for some and not so lucky for others.
For Richard Matthews with his blue Carkeek 52, Oystercatcher XXXV it was a quick crossing from Mersea to Ostend in 6 hours and 2 minutes, he beat his own record from 2019 where in his Kerr 51, he managed the course in six hours and nine minutes. This year he could have completed the course in under six hours if it wasn't for a ship being in the way and having to slow down on the way to Ostend. Speeds exceeded 20 knots at times.
West Mersea Yacht club had two finishers on the podium with a second place for Micheal & Jason Wheeler with their Classic Sparkman & Stevens Golden Fleece. It was clear blue sky on the start line with 11 boats including a trimaran from the Royal Burnham Yacht Club owned by Jon McColl. EAORA are hoping to see an increase in the Mocra fleet as we know Jon has enjoyed racing EAORA with the camaraderie and post-race parties which everyone enjoys in the IRC division.
Third overall was the RHYC's Will & Jenny Taylor-Jones, in another lovely Classic Sunstone, the wooden Sparkman & Stevens 39 with varnished topsides. She was only 1 minute & 58 seconds behind Golden Fleece on corrected time and I am sure the debate went on late into the night about where that could have been found in this twelve hour race to get second overall.
William Sunnucks from HPYC with his Grand Soleil 46.3 Sweet Caroline was very keen for a good result after a great week back in July where he competed in Tour des Ports de la Manche regatta getting 6th in Class where there were over 80 yachts racing along the French coastline. His Buckley Goblets race stalled for a while with his code zero stuck up the mast, it seemed like a halyard that had jumped out the roller!
A new boat joined the EAORA fleet Geoff Kimber from the Stone Sailing Club with White Satin a Hanse 35, This was his first race of the season with us, although he retired from this race, he is very positive about racing EAORA 2025.
Mark Lyons from Burnham Sailing Club with Martinque his Dehler 34 has raced 9 races out of the 11 in our programme, his seasons overall results have been encouraging and he managed to turn up with one other crew member, completing the race as a double hander which was important for his overall position.
Another new boat to EAORA was Warrior, an Archambault 40 (A40). Simon Farron racing for the Colne Yacht Club isn't new to EAORA. His season 2025 will be an interesting one.
Spirit, owned by Paul Scott, a big supporter of EAORA for over 20 years now, had a good race and this made him the overall winner of the season.
The Royal North Sea Yacht Club made everyone welcome. Richard Matthews and his crew on Oystercatcher made a point of giving all the competitors a rapturous applause as they motored past the Yacht Club's balcony.
The prize-giving was attended by our Chairman Claire Scott & Principal race Officer Andy Wise. The trip home for many was a sunny event with warm winds now from the southwest, rather than the cold blast from the Northwest during the race.
Results can be found at www.eaora.org.uk/results/buckley-goblets-2024-results