Plymouth Regatta 2018 - One Design Fleets
by Alan Harris-Guerrero 1 Aug 2018 21:31 NZST
13-15 July 2018
Seascape 18 National Championship during the Plymouth Regatta © Tom Gruitt /
www.tom-gruitt.co.uk
Seascape 18 National Championship
Once again, the Seascape 18 Nationals returned to Plymouth, fielding seven boats.
Showing his usual consistency, John McLaren sailed through the regatta, convincingly winning with a stunning 7.5 points. Jamie Watts also showed good consistency, claiming the only bullet not claimed by John Mclaren. Further down the field, results were much closer, with every boat shifting positions across the board.
Major thanks as always must go to Peter Wanstall, himself racing, but also providing the "Seascape HQ" as well as many of the day prizes over the three days of racing. At the Prizegiving, John gave an impassioned speech about One Design racing in Plymouth, and we would love to see as many Seascape's as J24s next year!
J/24
The J24 fleet saw 13 entries with several travelling by sea and road from Poole, Fowey and even as far as Saltash! With the hot weather locked in for the weekend and thermal breezes an almost certainty, Champagne sailing was on the cards.
On the first day, sailing was postponed due to lack of wind with the race officer holding his nerve for the sea breeze which came in around 12-1pm. This resulted in some very eager starts by the fleet to get rid of some built up adrenalin. With the committee boat swinging side onto the wind and tide, transits were difficult but after a general recall, racing got underway with big gains staying in max tide allowing the Majic boys to extend to a Race 1 victory.
With the breeze building during the afternoon and the tide reducing, starting was made easier. Reading the wind shifts up the first beat proved critical as the tide was reducing towards slack water. Team Sail Shape led from the start and covered the fleet to take the victory.
The third and fourth races showed winds of 12-15 knots getting the crews to hike hard on the beat in flat water making it almost perfect sailing conditions! During the first windward mark on race 4 we had ourselves a "Demolition Derby" with four J's coming together which undeservedly spat Cacoon out the back. We won't mention any names on who was on port! Mark in Danjerous When Wet pulled the race win out the bag in Race 3 and David in Jive pulling a 1st in Race 4.
After four races and very tanned or burnt faces it was time for a well-deserved pint.
The Saturday evening entertainment was held at Yacht Haven in the Ancasta Marquee with a band, bar and food. There were daily prizes which were a nice touch keeping the sailors keen for top three positions. As usual the J sailors like to socialise and discuss at length why they didn't come first over many pints making their excuses even more plausible.
Waking up the next day was hard, certainly for our crew member George who spent the previous night feeding the fish from the transom of the support vessel in Sutton harbour. With paracetamol on board and 3 litres of water later, racing got underway in sub 6 knots and strong tide.
Cacoon managed a break in Race 5 and held onto the lead to take the win making the top 4 boats, Magic, Cocoon, Team Sail Shape and Jive close on points.
With tide up the transom on the start and a U flag displayed, two boats where disqualified in race 6 which now left Majic, Cacoon and Team Sail Shape for the top spot. Sam on Piglet led from early stages in the race and took home a well-deserved win.
The tide now favouring the left side of the beat made starting on the pin end more beneficial which team Sail Shape managed crossing the fleet on port and leading the fleet to the finish for a second race win.
Well done to the Majic U25 boys who won overall with their consistent sailing all weekend. Cacoon came in second overall, we always love to see this crew come from Poole and hope to see them at the Autumn Cup. Team Sail Shape took home the third prize and were super happy with the result
The J24 fleet would like to Thank Sam Marshall for his efforts in organising the event, Plymouth Yacht Haven for being very accommodating and our race officer who put on some great sailing.
Overall Regatta Results: yacht-regatta.ppsa.org.uk/2018-yacht-regatta-results
Our thanks go to all the race officers, Sean Semmens, Dave Curno and Mike Pearson, and the line crews and volunteers, without whom the event would not be able to run and to our sponsors and partners, Cattewater Harbour Commissioners, Ancasta Yacht Sales, Plymouth Yacht Haven, The Treasury Plymouth, Dart Sails and Covers, Freshwave, Mount Batten Boathouse and Tom Gruitt Photography, for their generous support. See you next year!