YARMOUTH SAILING CLUB

IN GUSTY conditions, eight Scows jostled for position on the start line for the club’s Sunday August Series and Scow Challenge Cup race.

First over the line was Martin Palmer, with Alex Jacobs on his tail.

Up the beat, Graeme Bowen overhauled first Jacobs and, just before the turning mark, Palmer.

There was fierce competition for places in the following pack, between Rob Selby, Alan Toms and Chris Parsloe, with each exchanging places at various stages of the race.

Gusts caught out the leaders, which left Palmer forced to retire, while Jacobs twice got stuck on the mud, which left the door open for Bowen to ease home comfortably, with Toms second and Selby third.

The wind dropped just in time for last Thursday week’s Twilight Series race to take place.

Graeme Bowen, in a Scow, was first away and held on to the lead to win, while the other racers battled away between them, or got into difficulties.

Oliver Mayo in a Tera came second.

The club held its annual Spence Willard Regatta over the weekend, which featured four races.

Last Saturday week’s racing was cancelled due to higher winds than Covid safety allowed, but winds were much more comfortable on Sunday for the racing, which included 11 Scows and 14 handicap boats.

The two eventful Scows races were won by Palmer, while Patrick Tate (Laser -1) won the first handicap race and Suzy Lister (Laser Pico 1), the second.

Bank holiday Monday’s Sailability Cup saw eight Scows and six others compete, with Peter Giles, in a Scow, winning on corrected time.

                                       BEMBRIDGE SAILING CLUB

THE club had mixed fortunes for their scheduled race events due to some weather extremes.

On the second day of the Sea View Yacht Club Regatta, James Wilson (Blue Jay) and Joe Robertson (Red Gauntlet II) were the early leaders and their consistency proved too much for the opposition as they took the first two places respectively.

In the One-Design race, Jos Coad (No.8) and Hugh Doherty (No.10) enjoyed some close racing, Coad coming out on top after two rounds.

There were three races in the Jubilee Trophy final for the four most successful One-Design helms this season.

Coad won the first two races, with Doherty second in both.

In the third and final race, Coad just needed to come anywhere but last to scoop the Jubilee Trophy.

But it all went horribly wrong for him. Not only did Doherty win, Coad also came last, which meant retiring class captain, Doherty, won the trophy with 4.75 points to Coad’s 5.5.

After days of poor weather, ten Bembridge keel boats ventured out of the harbour last Friday week into Force 2-3 winds.

Five Redwings started, but it was not long before Colin Samuelson (Toucan) got ahead of James Wilson (Harlequin).

However, by the finish, Harlequin had edged two boat lengths ahead of Toucan after some very close racing.

Five One-Designs had a similar, but shorter course.

Coad (No.8) sailed an outstanding race and led throughout, with Sarah Marshall (No.7) second.

Seven Redwings raced on Saturday in a cold F5 breeze and a lumpy sea and it was not long before Harlequin, James Tate (Rosetta), Jonathan Nainby-Luxmoore (Snowgoose) and Rory Morrison (Skua) split off as the front group.

After some close racing in marginal conditions, Harlequin finished 15 seconds clear of Rosetta.

The One Designs, meanwhile, had a similar course, but with one lap less than the Redwings.

Although Russ Fowler (No.1) and Doherty (No.10) were never that far apart, it was the latter who crossed the line 30 seconds ahead.

Ten Redwings and six One-Designs headed towards the start-off Under Tyne.

The Redwings got off to a good start in strong winds, with James Tate (Avocet) the early leader.

However, following a course change to take advantage of improved conditions, Wilson (Harlequin) managed to get ahead to finish 20 seconds clear after the final run to Pepe.

In the One-Design race, an error by No.12 allowed James Beart (No.5) to get ahead by a considerable margin.

On bank holiday Monday, with the weather calm, six Redwings and the One-Designs raced.

Tom Scott (Plover) and Robertson (Red Gauntlet II) were the early leaders, but Toucan, always hard to beat in light airs, came through from third to win on the run to Pepe.