Regatta Report 2010

2009 was the first regatta to feature musical entertainment and the result was an evening to remember. Could the 2010 regatta match it? Definitely! Steve and Rachael filled the floor for 3 hours with a superb set which even included a visit from Elvis! Steve normally reps for Burdens and Rachael is the Sunsail receptionist but both were ultra professional and got the regatta off to a great start. Many thanks to Burdens for sponsoring the evening.

Friday morning and Regatta day came with a call for a swift getaway. A nuclear submarine was due to leave Portsmouth and the harbour would be closed to traffic at 9.30am. After a slightly hurried breakfast and thoughtful presentations by representatives of the regatta charities, the fleet was off!

Once clear of Portsmouth Harbour (and any nuclear submarines) there was an opportunity for much needed sailing practice and a chance to put the kettle on for a much needed cuppa.

Race 1 got away with only Burdens 4 being OCS (On Course Side or over the line). Those in the know kept an eye on Pretty Poly, the ladies team being skippered by Pippa Hare, fresh from her victory in the Round Britain and Ireland Race. Sure enough, Pretty Poly was there, fighting for the lead with Elliotts and Claygate 1. Also in contention were Northampton lads T&W, the Strata team from Doncaster and the novice team from the Polypipe Factory on Polypipe.

First to the mark was Polypipe 2, closely followed by team rivals Polypipe 1. The light winds encouraged every crew to pop up the kites and the fleet was looking an absolute picture.

Meanwhile, the IRC fleet had a clean start, with early showings from Coomers, PTS 6, Barco and HGH. Starting the bigger boats after the smaller boats is unconventional but it ensures that even the slowest boats get to see overtaking action.

Back with the Sunsail fleet, a split had developed as the wind fell away. Some interesting kite hoists were seen, with many wineglasses and a brilliant clew hoist from Burdens 3 captured on video for posterity. (A clew hoist is when the spinnaker is clipped on sideways instead of upright causing much merriment to competing crews.)

The secret of dealing with the light airs was to get close in to the shore to beat the tide. Alexander Heating perhaps took this to extremes when they discovered they were closer to the beach than a party of swimmers! Meanwhile the J109's of Drakes and Imperial College were kept busy zig-zagging downwind with their asymmetric rigs. Working hard to stay in contention were Harris and Bailey, Warburtons, PTS 2 & 6 and Burdens 2. Private battles had developed between HPS yachts 1, 3 & 4 and Civils & Lintels yachts 1, 3 & 4.

Meanwhile Breheneys had found wind on the right hand side of the course and were powering along. Drakes, Polypipe 1, Civils & Lintels 1 and Coomers saw their move and followed, leaving race leaders Polypipe 2 horribly exposed on the windless shore side. In the event, Breheney held off Drakes by a mere second for line honours, with Drakes topping the IRC fleet on handicap. Polypipe 2 was struggling to keep their kite flying but just edged ahead of a fast sailing Polypipe 1 to head the Sunsail fleet by 4 seconds.

As the breeze faltered, those yachts at the rear of the fleet were struggling. Seldom have so many gybes occurred but despite all the hard work, only 27 yachts completed the already shortened course within the time limit, Civils and Lintels 3 being the last to make the cut.

Someone who was enjoying the calm conditions was the air display pilot who began his skywriting routine with a very passable version of the Polypipe Logo. Alan Cassidy is the British Aerobatic Champion and he was wringing the life out of his Pitts Special Biplane. Thanks are due to the Regatta Gold Sponsors Burdens, Civils & Lintels and HPS for sponsoring the Air Display and the Raffle.

In the afternoon, the fleet lined up for a race 2 that never happened! A breeze that could not make up its mind put paid to any more racing and reluctantly, Principle Race Officer Simon Grover had to send the fleet home.

Back at the Yacht Club, the sailing stories were already sounding like fishing stories! Polypipe 2 walked off with William's trophy as the winners of the biggest fleet. Most important result though, as always, was the Ladies Team result. By coming 13th, they beat 52 other teams, all of whom have to pay the dreaded forfeit. Well done to the ladies for raising a further £1040 for the regatta charities.

This regatta would not be possible without the help of many individuals and companies. I would especially like to thank the Regatta Gold and Silver sponsors, Sue Moss from Sunsail and my staff in the SE Sales Team.

Steve Upson – Regatta Organiser