River Exe Regatta 2009 hosted by Exe Sailing Club
by Mike Rice 1 Jul 2009 07:03 BST
27-28 June 2009
The ninth edition of the River Exe Regatta was held over the weekend of 27th and 28th June, hosted by Exe Sailing Club. With much of the planned sailing taking place out to sea, and a large proportion of the fast dinghy fleet having to make their way to the race area all the way from Starcross against an incoming spring tide, there was some concern over the forecast of very light breezes. As it turned out, there was just enough breeze on both days for the fleet to make it out of the estuary, albeit rather slowly. Their patience was rewarded on Saturday by the appearance of a lovely F3/4 sea breeze, sunshine and some playful waves. Sunday’s conditions were not quite as sparkling but at least there was enough breeze to complete a full race programme.
Everyone on the fast dinghy course on Saturday, set to the seaward side of Dawlish Warren, was treated to an exhibition of high speed sailing by Stevie Morrison and Ben Rhodes, racing their 49er at home for the first time since last year’s Olympics. They led off the line in both races and proceeded to lap most of the fleet, even catching some of the B14s. The sight of that enormous, Olympic-ringed union flag spinnaker blasting over the waves was memorable. Ben Rhodes said afterwards “it was great fun and good training. The waves later on made it quite challenging too – we came close to standing it on its nose again, a couple of times.” Clear overnight leaders, Morrison and Rhodes had another commitment on the Sunday, which left the overall results open. B14s took the two top slots over the whole weekend. Frank Rowsell and Ed Impey of Exe SC were first followed by Starcross YC’s Mark Elkington and Tom Francis. In third place was the Hornet of Richard Garry and Matt McGrath, of SYC.
The Dinghy 2 fleet was dominated numerically by twenty Comet Trios, which included one visitor, but all the podium places went to other classes. Winner by a whisker was Rosie Sands of ESC, crewed by Lauren Spring, in their RS200. They were equal on points but had more race wins than the Wayfarer of Liam and Sue McGrath, of SYC. Alex and Max Hayman of Sidmouth SC took third place in a Scorpion. First home in the Trio fleet were Andrew and Caroline McAusland, previous winners of the event, followed closely by Guy Farrant and Marilynn Booker. The visiting Trio of Peter and Marjorie Scott of Shustoke SC finished seventh. Former ESC commodores Steve Best and Symon Garratt had a close battle all weekend, with Best coming out on top by one place. The racing was close throughout, too close at times; Mike Sydenham’s Trio now sports a perfectly round hole in the side, slightly bigger than the diameter of a B14 bowsprit.
Four Devon Yawls made the trip from Topsham SC; even further to travel than the Starcross fleet, but they do have outboards! Highest placed Yawl was Ed Willams-Hawkes and Debbie Robinson’s, in a creditable 6th place overall.
The multihull race was a one class, one club affair, featuring the Hurricane 5.9s of SYC. These high speed machines (even faster than a 49er! had a longer course than the rest of the boats, but still managed to mix it with the others at times. Hurricane sailor and SYC commodore Jeremy Lees said “we had to work hard through the waves. At that speed it’s too easy to dig the bow in.” Overall fleet winners were Mike Arstall and Eamon Tyrell.
The rest of the dinghy fleet raced in the river, between Starcross and Lympstone. While not blessed, if that is the right expression, with the waves, they did enjoy some good breezes at times although the combination of strong tides and mostly light winds was quite challenging. Junior boats took the honours in the Dinghy 3 fleet, with the win going to the Topper of Luke Stitson, Roadford Lake SC. Eleanor and Joshua Geare of Exe SC had a couple of grand days out in Cadet “Wallace”, to finish second overall and third place went to Sam and Oliver Hacknet in an RS Feva.
A mixed fleet of Laser standards, radials and 4.7s shared the same course as the Dinghy 3 fleet. The weekend was dominated by last year’s winner, Mike Kinnear of SYC. Kevin Reed of Roadford Lake SC was second and Max Williams of SYC (Laser radial) was third.
For the cruising fraternity this year’s River Exe Regatta event entailed a return race from the mouth of the Exe to Torquay, for which there were 16 entries in two fleets. Sailors revelled in brisk conditions and headwinds of up to18 knots on the outbound race which was won by Neil and Liz Matson in “Vela Fresca”, with Hedley Saunders and his crew in “Delphin” in second place in the fast fleet. Sam Watts of LSC in “Jesta” was the winner of the slow fleet.
Crews and support teams enjoyed a pontoon party and a quiet evening in Torquay harbour before racing back to Exmouth on Sunday morning in light and fluky winds. The return race was won by Martin Minter sailing single handed in “First Sight”, with “Vela Fresca” in second place. Ray and Sally Barker in “Storm Bird” won in the slow fleet. “Vela Fresca” was the overall event winner. It is hoped this will serve as good practice, as Neil and his son Sam have entered in the two-handed section for this year’s Fastnet Race, one of the world’s foremost and challenging sailing events.
The younger children met at Exe SC on Saturday morning to be set a challenge involving the transport of a fox, a chicken and a bag of corn, using a fleet of Toppers rigged for paddling. It is not recorded how many bags of corn were eaten by chickens or chickens by foxes but all do appear to have had a good time.
Twenty windsurfers enjoyed some excellent racing in the “duckpond”, organised by Peter Manfield of Waterfront Sports. Racers ranged in age from 13 to 72 and the overall winner was Paul Simmons. Second place went to Keith Russell, who 10 years ago windsurfed around Britain. Racing on one day only was Marie Buchanan, who was a close contender for the Team GBR place at the last Olympics.
Prizes were presented after tea on Sunday at Exe SC by Exmouth’s Deputy Mayor, Sandra Sutton. Mayor Darryl Nicholas and Town Manager Tony Collins both attended the evening party at Exe SC and all the civic representatives commented on the great atmosphere and spectacle of the regatta. Exmouth Town Council gave a financial grant to the regatta and it was also supported by local sponsors: Penny’s Estate Agents, Sailsport and All Gadgets Marine. Financial support for the regatta also came from the many local firms who advertised in the brochure. Money remaining after costs have been covered are transferred every year to the River Exe Regatta Project fund, which helps to fund training for sailors from all the River Exe clubs. Regatta committee chairman Rex Frost thanked all the supporters and everyone who had worked hard to make the regatta a success.
Next year’s regatta, the tenth anniversary, will be hosted by Topsham SC.
Full results and more pictures can be seen on the regatta website at www.river-exe-regatta.org.uk