Sussex Combined Clubs Regatta 2022
by Chris Hawkes 16 Jun 2022 17:30 NZST
11-12 June 2022
The Sussex Combined Clubs Regatta was back with a blast in 2022. The Sussex Regatta is an annual yacht racing regatta run by a committee of the Sussex Combined Clubs.
The location varies from year to year, with responsibility for hosting rotating between the three main organising clubs, BMYC, SYC and SHYC. After a two-year gap due to the Covid pandemic, the Sussex Regatta was hosted by the Sussex Yacht Club. This year the event was even bigger to mark the opening of the new Sussex Yacht Club building. In addition to the racing regatta, there were a variety of other events as part of the Festival of the Water.
6 races across two days of were delivered in what were sporting but at times challenging conditions. Saturday brought F5 conditions, wind gusting from 18-25kts from the SW and a strong sea state. Sunday was lighter to begin with in 16-20kts but built through the afternoon. But it was often bright and sunny which made the days more fun. The turnout for the racing fleet was strong with 9 boats in IRC, 8 in NHC and a stand-alone single Pursuit race on the Saturday attracting 7 entries. With a great mix of local and visiting boats.
Racing began at 10am with a race around the laid marks just off Shoreham Beach. Races 2 and 3 were focussed on windward leeward courses and provided excellent racing to the fleet. The weather did unfortunately lead to some damage that caused a small number of early retirements but at the end of the day competitors were positive about day 1 and looking forward to day 2, in what was looking like lighter conditions. Evening entertainment was held at Sussex Yacht Club with a many visiting yachts in attendance.
Day 2 brought a slight reduction in wind strength and a 90 min race 1 was an enjoyable blast around Shoreham Bay for all competitors. As the preparation was under way for Race 2 and 3 the wind strength built again and it was understandable that some yachts opted to finish their day early. However, enough competitors were fighting for the overall win to take on the conditions and complete the full 6 races planned for the regatta. Post racing saw the fleet return to Sussex Yacht Club for an overall prize-giving event.
Overall winner of IRC was SYC boat Upstart, a J92S, skippered by Robin Stevenson. Notable mention in IRC must go to Robert Styles Sunfast 3200 Diamonds4ever as unable to race on day one, on day 2 took two wins and a 3rd. In NHC the SYC Sonar fleet took the top 3 positions, overall winner being SYC Commodore Kevin Headon and his crew on Krack-on (despite being OCS on the last race of the day!). Congratulations to the 3rd for the SYC Women's Team on Poppy. Lauren Willis and her crew building up to their main focus of Cowes Week for 2022. The Saturday Pursuit, which did not count for the overall regatta result, went to Miles Mayall and his crew on Zebedee.
Full results available at thesussexregatta.uk
With thanks to all the volunteers that made this event to come together, too many to mention but notably Race Officer Paisley Thomson and the crew of BMYC's committee boat Admiral Jack. The SYC rib section providing mark laying services. Warwick Pics for on water event coverage. And all the volunteers, club officers and others of SYC that made the onshore events a success. SYC Yacht Racing section specifically thanks all visiting skippers and crews for their attendance to the event. Thanks also to sponsors North Sails and Musto who kindly provided a number of prizes for competitors.
Next year the regatta moves to Brighton to be hosted from BMYC.