SVYC Regatta Roundup Day 1

Published 09:22 on 14 Aug 2022

SVYC Regatta - Day 1

After a fabulous Cowes Week, but a disappointing Race Week, all eyes finally turned to the Sea View Yacht Club Regatta this weekend, the highlight of the yacht club calendar. With 20 races scheduled each day this year (2nd only to Cowes Week on the Island for number of races), it was a highly anticipated spectacle by all the classes.

Alas as has been common the last few days, the wind didnt play ball. The village woke up to a solid wind reading of precisely 0 knots, gusting 1! 

After the general AP, which lasted from 0915 till 1214, the first class to get away were the SVOD Cadets, which had a fight on their hands to make it uptide. By diving inshore, there were 3 dinghies that pulled away from the rest, and after a shorten course, it was George who took the win, from Nate and Phoebe. 

Hot on their heels, the Mermaids, Squibs and Cruisers were all started in quick succession to make the most of the breeze. In the Mermaids, it was a dominant win for Noel Dobbs, having lead almost the whole way round. In the Squibs, it was Martin Harrison who lead the way, and in the Cruisers William Edwards made the most of the light airs in his Cape 31 Sardonyx to take the win on handicap against his competition.

Next up was the flight of dingy starts, and whilst the Opis and Slow Handicap fought valiantly, the tide proved just too much to get them across the start line. The Fast Handicap did get away however, with a shore creep off the slipway. First to break free from the tide around the club was the 49er, helmed by Charlie Stobert Hook, but they had unfortunately written down the wrong course! There was a hotly fought battle to get around the first mark first from Tom Griffiths, Senan Bottomley, and Charlie Proddow, it was eventually Tom who prevailed in an extremely tactical race, from Senan and Charlie. 

After a short postponement whilst the committee evaluated the conditions, the Mermaids and Squibs went again, joined by 4 Redwings on similar courses. Whilst the wind came and went, it was Jimbo Mitchell who took the Scott Hughes Bowl from Kate Broxham on the final beat, having switched tactics as to whether inshore or offshore was better to beat the tide. In the Squibs, Martin Harrison took another win, and in the Redwings, after 3 boats had come round from Bembridge to make a very good race, Jo Robertson took the victory after the race had to be shortened to facilitate the lack of wind.

And that was unfortunately the last start of the day, as the wind left when the tide turned, and never came back. The Lasers, Picos, Mermaids (races #3 & #4) and both SVOD races had to be abandoned. 

Many congratulations to the winners, and whilst the forecasts are mixed for tomorrow, we are looking forward to seeing everyone out for more (and especially the wind….!)

Prize giving will be held tomorrow after the conclusion of racing.