Royal Northumberland Yacht Club Regatta

Photos ©: Liz King

Yachts from all over the North East battled through gales and driving rain over the Whit Bank Holiday Weekend as they took part in the Royal Northumberland Yacht Club's annual regatta.

The severe weather on the first day of the Regatta took its toll, with a third of the fleet suffering some sort of gear damage. The most common problem was blown out sails as the boats were hard pressed in North Westerly winds gusting at around 40 knots. There were a couple of high profile retirements in the early races. "Self Expression" (Albin Express, RNYC) lost her mast when it crumpled under the strain, taking the spinnaker with it, and "The Buoy Racer" (Sunderland YC) very nearly sank after a particularly nasty broach laid her low long enough for her to fill up with water.

The honours in class one eventually went to one of the yachts of the home team. "Hummingbird" (IMX38), already winner of the Royal Quays Spring Series earlier this year, positively revelled in the bad weather and was expertly sailed throughout the regatta by Peter Stenner and his crew from Blyth. The first race in class two went to "Tarka" (Hustler 30) sailed by L and G Wilkinson from the Tees and Hartlepool YC, with the little boats in class three being led bravely home by "White Magic" (Sonata) sailed by D Matthews from Sunderland YC.

Day two was a lot easier on the fleet!

"Hummingbird" won two out of the three races on the second day and consolidated her lead in class one, but the times were very close. "Swara" (Tees and Hartlepool YC) and "Albany Express" (Albin Express, RNYC) ended up sharing the honours for class two on the second day, with "White Magic" managing to maintain her top position in class three, despite losing to another Sonata, "Rondeau" (RNYC) in the final race of the day.

The weather continued to improve and on Bank Holiday Monday, the last day of the regatta, the fleet sailed to the start of the first race in bright sunshine. Unfortunately the wind began to die off and just before it failed completely it played a trump card by veering 50 degrees.

"Showdown" (Sunderland YC) managed to squeeze ahead of "Hummingbird" to take the last race in class one. In class two, "Hitch Hiker" (Hunter 707, Sunderland YC) took the local handicap class with "Swara" taking the honours in the IRC class. The two Sonatas continued their battle in class three, with "Rondeau" coming out on top.

Photos: select thumbnail for full picture

Royal Northumberland YC Regatta overall results:

Class 1:
1. Hummingbird    Peter Stenner   RNYC
2. Showdown       John Holmes     Sunderland YC
3. Brighteyes     Ed Watson       RNYC

Class 2 IRC:
1. Swara          Barry Hughes    Tees and Hartlepool YC
2. Albany Express D Morgan        RNYC
3. Tarka          L & G Wilkinson Tees and Hartlepool YC

Class 2 NERR ( NE Rating Rule):
1. Hitch Hiker    David Wheldon   Sunderland YC
2. Swara          Barry Hughes    Tees and Hartlepool YC
3. Tarka          L & G Wilkinson Tees and Hartlepool YC

Class 3:
1. White Magic    Dave Matthews   Sunderland YC
2. Rondeau        George Parnaby  RNYC
3. Fair Beagle    Stuart Crass    Coquet YC

More Information:

• Royal Northumberland Yacht Club Website
• Liz King Photography