Plymouth Dinghy Regatta 2022
by Port of Plymouth Sailing Association 11 Jun 2022 07:02 NZST
3-5 June 2022
47 sailors across three fleets took part in the annual Port of Plymouth
Sailing Association dinghy regatta. This year was of special
significance as it marked the 200th year of the event, and following two
years of Covid disruption, all were keen to get on the water.
Race Officer Mike Pearson got the fleets away on time with a
triangle-sausage course across Plymouth Sound in the Southerly breeze,
although race 1 was curtailed due to a warship movement. A wind switch
after race 1 led to a short postponement, followed by two more races
closing the Friday.
In the Fast Handicap the faster boats struggled to
shake off the Scorpion of Steve Mitchell, while Graham Camm's National
12 and Steve Roberts's Solo showed strong consistency to end day 1
leading their respective fleets.
Competitors and volunteers were greeted
with a barbecue at the Mount Batten Centre after sailing, where sailors
and safety boat crews alike were able to share stories of their good
(and bad!) days.
Day 2 could not have been different to day 1, with strong Easterly winds
forecast, and sailors waking to torrential rain and thunderstorms.
Wanting to get the day's four races in, the race committee
postponed for an hour, but increasing winds and recorded gusts of 36
knots led to racing being abandoned for the day, allowing competitors to
dry off and experience some of the Plymouth sights.
The final day of the event was looking to be much nicer, although the
wind stayed from the East, leading to some big swings off the Jennycliff
shore. The committee boat team were exceptional at getting a course in
quickly, and all three fleets got away cleanly, although some of the Slow
handicap fleet were a little pushy on the startline!
Graham and Anya
Camm sailing their 12 Very Hungry Caterpillar dominated their fleet in
the shifty conditions, while there was a much closer fight for second
place between the RS Vareo of Richard Woods and RS Aero 6 of Ellie
Craig, with Woods taking second place on countback.
Zeb Fellows and Finn
Gribbin were starting to find their feet in the Fast Handicap, the
shifty wind and stronger breeze favouring their 29er. Dan Heaton's
Merlin Rocket was unable to match the consistency of the Scorpion and
the 29er, ending the day in third, with the Scorpion pipped to first on
countback.
There was fantastically close racing at the front of the Solo
fleet all weekend, with the lead frequently swapping between Steve
Roberts and Shaun Welsh, though Roberts was able to get the upper-hand,
winning the weekend on 6 points, with Nick Fisher unable to capitalise
on the final race to end in third.
Torpoint Mosquito went on to win the
team prize, with club members in the top three of each class.
The prize-giving was hosted in the sunshine on the top floor of the Mount
Batten Centre, with ample prizes supplied by many generous sponsors,
including Rooster Sailing, c-monsta wetsuit hangers, Highwater Sails,
Dinghy Shack and framed prints from Yachty Bits for the winners.
Photography was provided by Paul Gibbins (see gallery above).
The Port of Plymouth Sailing Association thanks all competitors, volunteers and sponsors for their
continued support of sailing in Plymouth. Classes interested in taking
part in the future can contact
We look forward to
seeing you all next year!
Full results: www.halsail.com/Result/Public/63132