10 boats from Weymouth Sailing Club drifted round to Portland harbour over the weekend of 8th and 9th July to compete in the YCW’s annual dinghy regatta, and for some it turned out to be a successful weekend.
The 130 entrants made up of world class sailors, national champions and very good club sailors were split into 4 different classes, Ospreys and Fireballs, Emma Stevenson and Tim Bowden in their Osprey. Fast handicap, Robin and Mike in their Merlin and Corey in his D1. Phantoms and OKs, Me in my OK, and slow handicap, where the majority of our boats competed in and included Keith Howorth and Ali Stevenson in their Lasers, Amber Poulloin and Celia Rushton in their Bytes, Iain Jones in his Solo, plus Phil Norris and John Talbot in their Wayfarer.
The slow handicap class was a hot contested fleet of 25 boats, and where all Weymouth SC success was. Celia and Iain shared a 3rd place in one race, and there was only seconds between some positions in many of the other races over the weekend. All our boats managed a top 10 finish in at least on race. Consistency paid for Phil Norris and Iain Jones who finished 3rd and 4th respectively and who were separated by only ½ a point. Celia finished 7th overall and in doing so also won 1st lady, and Amber managed a respectable 11th in her 1st regatta. This was also enough to achieve the 1st under 18 in the slow Handicap class. Keith got a good tan and Ali learnt to make sure she takes a drink sailing with her next time.
Outside of the slow handicap class a success worth a mention is that Cory managed to finish every race he started. Everyone else had a bit of mixed fortunes over the weekend, but all enjoyed the sun and sailing.
A special thank you has to go to Euan, Helen Middleton-Stewart and all the other rescue boat crews over the weekend. Some of us would have never got out of the harbour if it wasn't for your help. Also to Richard Bowers, Bill Barker and the team at Castle Cove. Without all of the volunteers, one of the South Coast's most popular dinghy regattas would never happen.
Here’s looking forward to next year.
Gavin Poulloin
Dinghy Class Captain.
