Catch Me If You Can at Royal Harwich Yacht Club
by Gordon Sutton 8 Oct 23:01 NZDT
5 October 2024
Catch Me If You Can at Royal Harwich Yacht Club © Gordon Sutton
Three years ago Royal Harwich wanted to get racing yachts and cruiser yachts doing an event together. We decided that a pursuit race format would be good as we could sell the idea that no one else is on the start line.
We ditched all references to racing and simply called it Catch Me If You Can. It's open to all members with yachts big or small.
We start everyone on their first race off the closest number we can find off the YTC site and then during the year we tweak the handicaps.
It's been a great success, we arrange one a month over 5 months. Last Saturday saw the last one completed for the year. We had 14 yachts entered (which for October was great) from the slowest boats, Leisure 27 and a Pioneer to the fastest Dehler 34 and a J120.
Saturday was a fabulous sunny day but little wind near the start time,so we postponed for half an hour. The wind filled into a nice gentle 10 to 12 knots and off we all went on a beat down the Orwell against the tide. Those with less experience stayed in tide too long and soon lost some ground. We then reached up and down the Stour followed by a run all the way home, some with spinnakers, some goose winging. A majority of the boats were in the vicinity of the club when the three hours were up.
Once all packed away, we all met on the lawn for drinks and food.
A great end to the season, with a glass, etched with the words 'I caught them' presented to Simon Ruffles on Jameerah J120, sadly he now knows his handicap gets cut next year as we try to make sure the same boat doesn't win next time.
Here's to the 2025 season.