23rd Broadland Youth Regatta at Norfolk Broads Yacht Club, Wroxham
by Andrew Musgrave 5 Sep 2016 16:13 BST
3 September 2016
Broadland Youth Regatta 2016 at Wroxham © Robin Myerscough
The 23rd annual Broadland Youth Regatta was hosted by the Norfolk Broads Yacht Club at Wroxham Broad on 3rd September.
The Regatta was the brainchild of Brian Wilkins, current Chairman of the Norfolk and Suffolk Boating Association who promotes the event annually at different Broadland venues.
Light southerly winds provided a challenging course for the 75 youngsters who competed in 64 boats ranging from Optimists through Toppers and Fevas to Solos and Lasers. Six Broadland sailing clubs were represented by teams, with each competitor sailing four races.
The final series of races was curtailed by heavy rain and lack of wind leading to dramatically shortened courses, but the event was thoroughly enjoyed by all involved.
Individual winners of the series races included Ben Campbell (Laser) of Norfolk Broads Yacht Club in the fast handicap, Toby Pearce of Horning Sailing Club in the Toppers, and Josh Means of Horning Sailing Club in the Optimists.
The slow handicap series was won by George Curtis and Andrew Morgan of Beccles Amateur Sailing Club in their traditional Norfolk Dinghy, also winning the Whelpton trophy for double handlers having won all four of their races.
The prestigious team Centenary Salver for the winning team went to Horning Sailing Club by the narrowest of margins, who despite having competed every year, had never won before in the Regatta's history.
The Lady Mayhew trophy for personal endeavour was awarded to Elizabeth Ford of Norfolk Broads Yacht Club, who was competing in her first major Optimist race series.