Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta - Day 1

WELL WORTH THE WAIT

Will they? Won’t they? I’m sure those words were on everyones lips as we all waited for the Red Arrows on Wednesday evening.

The boys were also waiting impatiently on the runway at Exeter for the cloud to lift, and finally appeared over Dartmouth about 13 minutes later than expected, but here none the less.

And what a display! Many reckoned it was the best yet – but that is said every year as Dartmouth provides a unique challenge in their busy schedule.

Mind you in 17 years of Arrows watching at Dartmouth they performed a lot of new manoeuvres I had never seen before.

So from everyone in Dartmouth and Kingswear - thank you Red Arrows, you were just great.

TERMINATOR TOO?

I understand that one of the crew on board Mad Max has injured his knee and is sporting a complicated leg brace which gives him a passing resemblance to Arnie Schwartzenegger. (No brain either eh?)

With a name like Mad Max they will next be claiming they have got Tina Turner on board.

ON YOUR MARKS

Bosun Baron was running about the terrace like a cat with two tails (or the canine equivalent) very pleased with his new racing marks.

We have had complaints in the past about the visibility of some marks, but if you can’t see these great big yellow inflatable things then I should get yourself a guide dog.

Roger has named them Doris, Daphne, Dorothy and Diana, but has requested that lonely sailors should not remove them overnight for personal use…

GOOD SPORTS

As I’m sure many of you are aware, there are many more competitive events at Regatta other than sailing.

At the moment the WEARA Rowing events are taking place in the river and tomorrow is the turn of local rowing – always a popular day. Tennis, darts and golf tournaments have already taken place and to come are bowls, barrel rolling, crab fishing, trolley races, road running and tug of war.

Today, it was the turn of the swimming races, up river at Dittisham. The entry levels are always dependent on wind strength and direction, and this year a record number plunged into the river at Flat Owers.

The 400m Freestyle was won by Sam Moggridge, who was last seen heading upriver home to Cornworthy. Charlotte Haworth took the ladies butterfly in fine style whilst Karl Lloyd and Trish Walker won the 200m medley.

Race Officer James Stockbridge – himself an old hand – advises that a bit more downhaul might help…

FIRST DRAGONS BLOOD

Several squalls made racing interesting today to say the least, and some boats decided that discretion was the better part of valour.

A depleted Dragon fleet raced twice today, with Jock Douglas in Cruachan taking both races to lead the series.

PANDION PUNCH UP!

The Scimitar fleet always used to be a relaxed, fun loving lot, but things are obviously becoming increasingly tense as they are eclipsed by the growing Dart Squib fleet.

Front runner Neil Drew in Pandion was “T Boned” by a fellow boat when he was on the port tack – trouble was the other guy was on starboard and allegedly Neils crew didn’t warn him that collision was nigh. I understand he may now be looking for a new crew…

SMITH DROPS ‘EM

Panic on Inner Course Committee Boat Jessica Kate today when RDYC Moorings Officer Chris Smith (in charge of Flags ) got carried away in the excitement of the start. He pulled too hard on the halyard, dragging the whole flag starting sequence PLUS flagpole to the deck.

For heavens sake don’t let him near the guns. He’ll kill someone…

FOR THEIR PAYNES

The crew of Contango were so pleased (and surprised) to have finished 4th in the first Squib race that they decided to heave to for a celebration.

Trouble was they were just tucking into the tea and sandwiches when the gun went for the start of the second race!

And Lucy. Please don’t use the RDYC Ensign as a tablecloth – that’s a flogging offence…

MOORING RIGHTS

Junior Dogsbody (AKA The Vice Commodore) has just popped up to ask me to remind RDYC members that for the duration of Regatta the Club Pontoon is reserved solely for the use of Race Officials and Official boats.

We don’t care if you claim to be the Rear High Admiral of the Fleet – clear off and park your boat somewhere else. Emergencies DO happen at Regatta and even a 10’ dory might delay a rescue boat by valuable minutes.

Future offenders will be towed away and sunk…

STAY AFLOAT

Roger from SPINLOCK has just called to tell me that he will be at the RDYC for the next two days to demonstrate the new range of SPINLOCK life jackets to anyone who is interested.

I understand that he and his inflatable model will be propping up the corner of the bar and if anyone wants to try one for size (lifejacket that is) then please go and have a word with him.

WATERWATCH

Race Officials are reminded that they should refer to the tide times and heights printed on their neck danglers.

Two official boats were left high and dry today when the water retreated whilst their backs were turned. The fact that one was crewed by members of the Senior Service must have been very embarrassing!

SPORTING LIFE

The J80’s and Sportsboats were amalgamated for their three races and the gusty weather gave them some exciting racing. Simon Unwin in Jack looks likely winner in the J80’s

All survived except for Mark Lobb in Jet Set who blew the spinnaker out in a bad squall on the final downwind leg. What did he expect with Tina Mackie as a crewmember…

ON GOLDEN POND

The gusty conditions again gave the Devon Yawls the opportunity to do their fine impressions of garden ponds!

Both races saw a neck and neck finish between Mike Bennett in Two’s Company and Alan Winton in Winnie, with both crew members baling frantically to ensure that their respective craft crossed the line whilst still above chart datum.

Robert Adams in Noir Pute would like to know why his craft is so named? We all know what it means - but why?

STORMY WEATHER

The squally weather certainly suited the big boys today, but there was still the occasional dis-masting and I’m sure that Westaway Sails will be busy tonight.

Line honours in IRC1 went to the Farr 45 Atomicafter a race long battle with the similar boat Audacious. The big Swan 45 Hawk of Michael Broughton was third ahead of Highlife, the Kerr 11.3 of Michael Broughton.

The expected J133 challenge did not materialize as Rennie McArthur Miller was still learning his brand new boat Quick Silver and trying every sail in the bag in an effort to get the best performance in the conditions. So strange were some of the sail combinations that at one point the helmsman was heard to mutter, “If you try that again I’m getting off!”

Quick Silver probably has one of the youngest crewmembers in IRC 1 – 14 year old Henry Bomby who is a Regatta veteran in Dinghies. Mind you the rest of the crew are threatening to dye his hair grey to match theirs..

HOW MANY BEANS?

There were a few rumblings during post race drinks on the terrace that some of the larger boats may have been carrying more passengers than the Dartmouth-Kingswear ferry !

Competitors are reminded that their handicap rating may specify the maximum number of crew they can carry…