River Hamble Combined Clubs Regatta

River Hamble Combined Clubs Regatta © Derek Hand

The annual regatta organised by the River Hamble Combined Clubs (RHCC) committee was held this year on the evenings of July 7th, 8th and 9th. Fine weather and a good turnout of both keel boats and dinghies made this event a great success. Mark Platten (WSC) the current chairman of RHCC expressed his delight at the achievements of the regatta.

There were two dinghy races each evening as well as keelboat racing run by Hamble River Sailing Club (HRSC) on Wednesday and Warsash Sailing Club (WSC) on Thursday. Mark particularly stressed the value of the inter-club contacts and the encouragement given to junior sailors. It was good to see Hamble Sea Scouts in their 1720 sports boat. Mark also thanked the participating clubs for providing rescue facilities and for hosting the prizegivings.

On Friday WSC was crowded with participants who enjoyed the club’s hospitality at the presentation of awards. Thanks to the services of the ‘pink boat’ taxi, river crossing was available until late each evening.

Wednesday 7th at HRSC. A light wind provided ideal conditions for dinghies and the HRSC fleet of PICO’s was able to race outside the river together with the fast fleet. This delighted the young competitors; it was also their first opportunity to have a go at an olympic style ‘sausage’ course.

Keelboat Results:

Class 1, Jack Purdy Challenge Cup, Liz & Robbie Robinson, Hot Rats
Class 2, Riverside Park Cup, Gordon Craigen, Swallow
Class 3, Phillip Davis Cup, Jonty Sherwill, Cockleshell
X.O.D., Hamble River Times Cup, Keith Hughes, Nanette

Thursday 8th at WSC. Another lovely evening and a good breeze. The regular WSC pursuit race was the setting for keelboats. Race Officer Martin Biggs (WSC) course selection was spot on and the results were:

Colin Gray Challenge Cup, Andrew Bell, Eau de Vie The Gibb Trophy (Sporty Class), Hand Family, Wight Hare

Dinghy racing on each evening was run by the RHCC committee ably headed by Chris Gillard.

Dinghy Results:

Fast Handicap Wednesday, 1st Peter Kay, Wayfarer 10506 Thursday, 1st Bernie McQuillon, Wayfarer 9816 Friday, 1st Roger Cerrrato, Blaze, Bloatmungus 5

Fast Handicap Overall (The Tramps Trophy)
1st Peter Kay, Wayfarer 10506
2nd Roger Cerrato, Bloatmungus 5
3rd Mark Astbury, Blaze 754
4th Bernie McQuillon, Wayfarer 9816

Slow Handicap
Wednesday, 1st Shaun Hampton- Matthews, Byte, A Kind of Magic
Thursday, 1st Shaun Hampton-Matthews, Byte, A Kind of Magic
Friday, 1st James Barber/Katie Halliday, Firefly (HRSC boat)

Slow Handicap Overall (The Ivor Creek Trophy)
1st Shaun Hampton-Matthews, A Kind of Magic
2nd James Barber/Katie Halliday, Firefly
3rd Jake Benson, Mirror

Cock of the River and Aquafresh Challenge Cup
Roger Cerrato, Blaze, Bloatmungus 5

Junior Results:

Picos
1st Alex Green
2nd Callum Weston
3rd Robert Winn

WOW (HRSC's Women on Water)
Won by Susie Hamel in a PICO