Port of Plymouth Regatta 2008

The Port of Plymouth Regatta kicked off on Saturday 26th July with the popular Champagne Race. 25 yachts crossed the start line and headed out of the Sound in a west-south-westerly force 3-4 wind to race the 25 miles to Ranney’s Buoy. Tactical racing ensued when a light sea mist descended soon after the competitors rounded Rame, but this soon lifted and the racers enjoyed a sunny, gentle sail for the remainder of the day. The race was offered as fully –crewed or two-handed, resulting in seven yachtsmen winning a half-case of champagne. The overall winners on corrected time were Peter Wanstall sailing Jasmine in the IRC class, and Michelle Evans sailing Stella Maris in the PY fleet.

72 dinghies entered the dinghy racing, which began on Sunday 27th July in pleasantly moderate conditions. The three races on Sunday were followed by single races on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings in a gradually increasing wind strength. Each evening the daily prizes were awarded to individual race winners with the overall prizegiving on Wednesday evening.

Overall winners were Pete Ellis and Charlotte Birbeck in the Fast Handicap, Neil Chadborn and Lucy Hall in the asymmetrics, Dan Jaspers and Victoria Holden in the RS Visions, Martin Bevan and Nick Thomas in the Enterprise fleet, Hugh Spencer in the slow handicap, Sarah Kennedy in the Laser 1 dinghies and Max Robinson in the Laser Radials.

While the main fleet raced in Plymouth Sound a Rookie Regatta, sponsored and run by the Mount Batten Centre, took place in the more sheltered waters of the Cattewater. This regatta is designed for youngsters with very little racing experience, and tuition is given during the races. 22 young people took advantage of the experience, the overall winner of the eight races being T. Methven in a Topper.

The weather deteriorated as the week went on, and 52 yachts began their racing on Thursday in much more blustery conditions. However the apres sail set the party spirit for the remainder of the regatta. Friday dawned with heavy seas, lashing rain and strong winds to make an uncomfortable day for the Race Officer and the line crew on the committee boat. Three races back-to-back in those conditions also tested the stamina of the yachtsmen, who were rewarded with live music from The New Rumbling Gussets at the evening party. The weather had calmed a little for the last two races of the series on Saturday, the first of which suffered a major wind shift immediately after the start. The final prizegiving party on Saturday evening was a lively affair thanks to music from Gavin and the Grimnotes. The daily prizes were presented by main regatta sponsor Tim Charlesworth from the Cattewater Harbour Commission, with the overall yacht prizes presented by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Mrs Mary Aspinell.

Overall IRC winners were Nigel Passmore in IRC A sailing Apollo and Neil Trathen in IRC B sailing Elusive. Stuart Barker won the largest fleet in the regatta, PY A, in Scallywag, while PY B was won by Jim Slater in Gift and PY C by Patrick Chapman in Sixpence.

In the one design classes Phil Hooper won the Trappers in Joburg, David Wines the Squibs in White Magic and D.Cooper the J 24’s in St James.

The winners of all classes, yachts and dinghies, then met for a cut-throat ‘Champion of Champions’ race on Sunday morning, racing in identical bosun dinghies. The magnificent champion’s trophy was won by Hugh and Claire Spencer.

Detailed results of all races can be found on the regatta web site, www.plymouthregatta.com