Hamble River Sailing Club Junior Regatta - Supported by River Hamble Combined Clubs, 8th July 2017.
Published 09:53 on 12 Jul 2017
Hamble River SC Junior Regatta
Saturday 8th July dawned for the second HRSC Junior Regatta, racing marks were inflated, Race committee and safety crews briefed, entry forms printed, other clubs invited, sailors ready and primed (as were parents), but there was one missing ingredient, the wind. Forecast for 1 to 3 knots from various directions.
However, there was some breeze in the river, so after a Race Briefing to all competitors from Kathy Smalley, our Race Officer for the event, boats were launched and set off for the Cat Head area.
After a short postponement as it took a while to get to the start area due to little wind, the first race got under way, with a total of 29 entries. There was the Gold fleet for the more experienced sailors in a mix of Laser 4.7's, and Radials, a Feva XL, a Pico and a Topaz from HRSC and Netley SC, and the Silver Fleet for those newer to racing, in Oppies and a Feva S, from HRSC and Warsash SC.
Following a triangle course, the Gold fleet completed 2 laps, and the Silver fleet one lap. The second race proved a big challenge, with the wind dying almost completely, but some sailors in both fleets managed to keep their concentration to complete the race.
The lack of wind was a good excuse for many to cool off and swim from their boats.
Due to time constraints, it was decided to just have 3 of the planned 4 races. Just before the warning signal for the final race there was a huge windshift, so AP raised again as the marks were quickly re-laid by the safety boats to provide a first beat. The plan was for the final race to be a passage race back to the club line, with the permission of the Harbour Master; however, as the wind was even lighter in the river, this was shortened at the river entrance.
Then back to the Clubhouse for BBQ burgers and hot dogs to welcome our guests from Warsash and Netley sailing clubs.
Prizegiving followed, with prizes donated and presented by Alexandra Rickham, who brought along her two Bronze Paralympic sailing medals, one from London 2012 and one from Rio 2016. To see and hold two Olympic medals was a real treat for children and parents alike. They are heavy, and make different sounds so that visually impaired competitors can identify the different medals.
Lots of smiles from sailors and parents alike, with everyone a winner in their own way.
For those children for whom this was their first open event just to be able to complete a race was a big success, those who persevered and completed the challenging second race deserve real credit, for those who had a good day out (and in) the water and for those who won prizes and got to see and hold Olympic medals, for the Club to host a regatta for local clubs and to have a clubhouse full of sailors, it was a great day.
Many thanks to all those who contributed, from the race committee, safety and support boats, those helping with taking entries and preparing food and refreshments, it is your support that makes events like this happen. Same again next year?
William Yonge - July 2017
Last updated 13:16 on 16 April 2024
