70th East Anglian Offshore Racing Association Prizegiving
by Cathy Brown 14 Nov 2019 04:57 NZDT
9 November 2019
Club Trophies during the 70th EAORA 70th Prizegiving © Claire Scott
A very successful 2019 season of offshore racing was celebrated in style at the EAORA Prizegiving Dinner at Medway YC on Saturday November 9.
The 70th anniversary year of EAORA had seen a welcome upsurge in entries right across the board, with yachts ranging in size from Ed Harrison's 28-foot Impala Alchemy to Richard Matthews' Custom Ker 52, Oystercatcher XXXIII taking part.
West Mersea-based Oystercatcher XXXIII dominated the season, winning the overall championship convincingly, the seventh time Richard has won the title over the 70-year history of EAORA - each time in different boats. Meanwhile Haven Ports YC, on the Orwell, claimed all three inter-club trophies.
The evening did not just celebrate those who triumphed on the water. The biggest cheers at the prizegiving were reserved for Brian Bolton, retiring after 21 years as principal race officer. Competitors presented him with a barograph in recognition of his outstanding service to the organisation, and the help and encouragement he has given to all involved.
The equally generous support of his wife Wendy was also recognised, with the presentation of the silver jewellery box, one of the trophies awarded annually at the committee's discretion for meritorious achievement beyond the racecourse.
Thanks go to MS Amlin for generous sponsorship of EAORA's 70th anniversary season.
Full list of prize-winners:
Overall Championship - Blackwater Cup
1 Oystercatcher XXXIII, Custom Ker 52, Richard Matthews, West Mersea YC
2 Victoria, Archambault 31, Adrian and David Gibbons, Colne YC
3 Golden Fleece, S and S 41, Michael Wheeler, West Mersea YC
Class 1 - Carmen Cup
1 Oystercatcher XXXIII
2 Brave, Arcona 410, Richard and Cathy Brown, Haven Ports YC
3 Mercury, Club Swan 45, Ross Eldred, Medway YC
Class 2 - Barnard Cup
1 Victoria
2 Spirit, Sigma 38, Paul Scott, Haven Ports YC
3 Lyra of London, Swan 431, Miles Delap, Royal Corinthian YC
Class 3 - Gunfleet Cup
1 Golden Fleece
2 Borsalino, SJ 36, James Fisher, Haven Ports YC
3 Woozle Hunter, Sigma 33, P Hammond, D Harrington, A Pentelow and A Thomas, Marconi SC
- Libya Cup (lowest points with no discard): Brave
- Inter-Club Championship: Haven Ports YC (Spirit and Brave)
- Red Dragon Trophy (winning team RORC/EAORA East Coast Race): Haven Ports YC (Spirit and Cassiopeia, Fast 42, Dominic Bucholz and Julia Rinck)
- Nore Command Trophy (winning team MS Amlin Offshore Regatta: Haven Ports YC (ApeX, X332, Robert Leggett and Eclipse, Contessa 33, Des Cowan)
- Charlie Mills Memorial Trophy (top EAORA boat in RORC/EAORA North Sea Race): Oystercatcher XXXIII
- WMYC Colonel's Trophy (Pattinson Cup and Buckley Goblets combined): Spirit
- MYC David Cole Memorial Trophy (Graham Wallis and Cannonball Race combined): Alchemy, Impala, Ed Harrison, Royal Harwich YC
- David Geaves Trophy (Most miles raced in EAORA and RORC): Spirit
- Two-Handed Cup: Double Edge, Corby 38, Chris Shram, Scheveningen YC
- Navigator's Cup: Ken Parsons, Double Edge
- Star Trophy: Miles Delap, in recognition of lending Lyra of London for the Ausome charity Fastnet campaign
Youth programme awards: (sponsored by Forensic Healthcare Services)
- Top youth yacht: Oystercatcher XXXIII
- Top offshore cadet - Payne-James Cup: Hamish Cock, Oystercatcher XXXIII
- Youth Sailor of the year: Josie Ruffles, Jameerah, J120, Simon Ruffles, Pin Mill SC
- Cadet with most offshore miles sailed: Arthur Brown, Intense, Corby 33, Lizzie Brown and Paul Wood, Royal Burnham YC