SVYC Regatta Day 2
Published 11:49 on 23 Aug 2025
Day 2 started out looking identical to day 1, a lumpy sea on the high tide driven by 15-20kn NE. The SVOD Cadets lead the way battling the sea state. Racing in the west George Cecil secured his second trophy ahead of Benjy Edwards. Things calmed slightly for the Mermaids, who were able to get out to Warner for the first time in the Regatta due to the wind direction. Despite the tide running against them though 3 boats were caught OCS, paving the way for Ben Few Brown ahead of Colin Simonds. The Metasail trackers were working a treat for those watching their progress out to sea!
The Cruisers had a more offshore course today. Tiaki unfortunately missed the last mark paving the way for Jonathan Hill to take line honours and the win on handicap. The Squibs followed the Mermaids out to Warner, with Martin Harrison taking the first of his two wins. The Cadet Squad fleet was much improved this morning with 6 boats out, giving them a real fight at the front. Barney Edwards held his lead across the line to win on handicap, with a few boats unfortunately finishing incorrectly. The Luggers followed on a tricky downwind start, and after a tour of the Western Solent Michael Baines took his second win from Richard White.
The Lasers managed to claim the first and only general recall of the regatta, and eventually got away 15 minutes late. 26 boats flew round the cans in a cracking breeze. Tobias Garnett took the win by 3 seconds on corrected time from Tom Griffiths, with Henry Knight only 1 second behind him 3rd. 8 seconds separated the top 4 boats on corrected time. The Slow Handicap got away slightly late because of the aforementioned general recall, but an unfortunate shift meant the resulting race was somewhat processional. Henry Cecil pipped Guy Proddow on the line, with Jim Marsh in third.
With the NE breeze just about holding, the Mermaids set off for Race 2 down to the east. On an unusual sausage course (2 - A - twice - Line) Noel Dobbs took home the Donald Bowl for the second year running. David Hunter crossed in second but was OCS, promoting Kate Broxham and Hugo Mills onto the podium. The Redwings went to Warner, whilst the one BOD stayed within Seaview waters; those races were won by James Wilson and Russ Fowler respectively.
The wind swung ESE over the lunch break, resulting in some different courses for the afternoon flight of starts. Cadet Squad raced up and down through the moorings, where Tom Charlton pipped Barney Edwards for his first win of the regatta. The Fast Handicap had a long, tactical beat back from Bob, where Tom Griffiths claimed his first trophy of the regatta ahead of Franki Lane. The Mermaids went out to Derrick for the second time this Regatta, where Josh Bottomley claimed the Somers Tankard from Robin MacCaw and Guy Mattinson. The Squibs stayed in Seaview round the cans, where Martin Harrisons second victory of the regatta sealed the overall series win.
For the final races of the regatta the two SVOD fleets swapped race areas from the previous day. The Victory fleet raced up towards Seagrove Bay, whereas the Amber fleet started off a Committee Boat off the Duver. The Mermaids had two laps up to Wreck, where Senan Bottomley claimed the Pam Donald trophy ahead of Hugo Mills and Max Baines. The SVODs finished together beating up from the west against the tide, creating another very pretty sight off the club. Tracy North won the Victory race from Louisa Mills and Lucy Morris. Robert Holbrook won the Amber race from Colin Simonds and Henry Cecil.
A successful prize giving was held shortly afterwards on the staging, and the Organising Committee would like to thank the Principle Race Officer (Caspar Gray), the Race Officers (Fiona Conway-Hughes and Jimbo Mitchell), and all the deck crews, boatman and safety boat teams that made the regatta such a success.
The Sea View Yacht Club Regatta will next run 16th - 17th August 2026. We look forward to seeing you all there.