Great Yarmouth & Gorleston Sailing Club Beach Regatta

This year's GYGSC Beach Regatta was held over the weekend of the 28th and 29th June. It was a weekend of contrasting weather, very warm and windy on Saturday, cooler and a calmer on Sunday (but still warm). This provided a good test for competitors over a range of sailing conditions.

Held in conjunction with open events for the Phantom and RS Vareos, the club's promenade and beach were busy with boats and locals enjoying the lovely weather conditions we are currently experiencing.

Saturday's racing was held in a F3-4 offshore wind with big shifts and gusts throughout the day resulting in several capsizes.

The fleets were split into two with the 13 strong Phantom fleet starting first and the Vareos joining the Regatta fleet in the second with sixteen entries in total.

Despite a long absence from the class Will Gulliver dominated the Phantom racing taking all three wins. The next four places were hotly contested between, Richard Nurse, Bill Taylor, Alan Husk and GYGSC Commodore Nick Favell, finishing the day within a few points of each other.

In the Regatta fleet the singlehanders dominated the results. Roger Wilson, sailing a Streaker started the day well with two race wins. Paul Jarvey, sailing a Solution was the more consistent finishing the day one point ahead of Roger with Chris Abbott, sailing an RS Vareo one points behind.

After sailing and with boats packed away we soaked up the sun sitting outside the club, sampling a few beers and sharing stories of what might have been if only....... It's fair to say the Phantom fleet easily out gunned the rest on the drinking front. Full marks to the GYGSC 'Catering Team' who along with working tirelessly all day, also prepared a splendid evening meal for all the competitors.

Preparing to launch on Sunday during the Great Yarmouth & Gorleston Sailing Club Beach Regatta - photo © Bob Girling

Sunday provided a cooler and calmer conditions. A relatively steady F2-3 from the NE made for an easier day on the water. With HW was scheduled at mid day, the tide was still flooding as the racing started. This encouraged everyone, well almost everyone to stay inshore up the beat and attempt to correctly time the tack out to the windward mark, as offshore the tide was ripping but eased during the day's racing.

Start on Sunday during the Great Yarmouth & Gorleston Sailing Club Beach Regatta - photo © GYGSC

Will proved he was a master of both heavy and lighter conditions taking another two wins before returning to shore leaving the rest to fight the final race. This turned into a battle between Richard Nurse and Bill Taylor who, after five races were tie. Richard took line honours to take second place overall, making a 1-2 for Northampton SC, with Bill third and third overall.

RS Vareos on Sunday during the Great Yarmouth & Gorleston Sailing Club Beach Regatta - photo © Bob Girling

Phil Highfield joined the Regatta fleet for Sunday and promptly won the first race. Paul Jarvey continued his good form and Dave Houghton, sailing a RS Vareo were second and third and were neck and neck most of the race with Paul crossing the line three seconds ahead of Dave.

In the next race Roger found his pace again finishing with the Solutions to take the race win. Phil, finishing over two minutes ahead was second on corrected time. Richard Brown, sailing a Solution took third position. In the final race the wind shifted a little. Dave made the most of this on the off wind legs taking a win over Phil, with the ever consistent Paul third.

Consistency paid with Paul overall winner with five top three finishes and 11 points. Roger second, just one point behind and Chris third on 20 points.

Many thanks to all the volunteers, both on and off the water who worked hard over the weekend to ensure the event ran smoothly. In particular the members of the RNSYC who assisted with the safety cover on both days.

Overall Results: