Mersea Week at West Mersea Yacht Club

Bright sunshine heralded the start of Mersea Week 2007 and the River Blackwater was alive with boats. The Smacks, Classics and Mersea Fishermen’s Open Boats add a very traditional aspect to Mersea Week with their white and tan sails Contrasting with the modern kevlar and carbon sails favoured by the modern racing fleets of today. Many boats come to Mersea specifically to compete in the racing for the week and it is heartening that the traditional flavour of Mersea Week continues to receive such support.

SUNDAY – DABCHICKS SC REGATTA
Sponsor for the day – Mersea Estate Agents

Well over one hundred sailing vessels took part in the Dabchicks Sailing Club Regatta and the predominantly southerly wind ensured that all classes, both cruiser and dingy enjoyed good competitive racing. The Smacks all cruiser classes and Mersea Fishermen’s Open Boats had one race, as scheduled and the dinghy classes were able to partake in two good races.

MONDAY – MERSEA WEEK POINTS
Sponsor for the day: Marfleet Lettings

Today proved to be more challenging as the wind strength had increased but all fleets achieved a creditable result for their endeavours.

TUESDAY – MERSEA WEEK POINTS
Sponsor for the day: Peter Clarkes Boatyard Ltd

The strong and strengthening force of the wind lead to racing for the dinghies and Merseas Fishermen’s Open Boats being cancelled. The number of Smacks and Cruisers venturing out was somewhat depleted. However those who decided to compete completed the prescribed short course before the really strong winds hit in after lunch, by which time most of the boats were either on or heading back towards the comfort of their mooring. Several boats sustained minor damage owing to the strain placed upon them by the elements,

THURSDAY – MERSEA WEEK POINTS
Sponsor for the day: Home Choice Carpets

Running repairs having been effected where necessary, all were eager for another day’s racing. As it was still quite windy, particularly as far as the MFOB’s and dinghies were concerned, it was decided to run an “inside” course for them all.

FRIDAY – WEST MERSEA YC REGATTA
Sponsor: West Mersea Marine

At long last the elements were kind to us. A good steady breeze provided ideal conditions for the racing for all the fleets. The Cruiser OOD, Brian Bolton, sent the cruisers off on a good lengthy course utilising the Blackwater estuary to its optimum and providing those ashore with a magnificent sight as spinnakers were hoisted and the Smacks had full sail. Meanwhile, Peter Fitt, the Dinghy OOD decided that conditions were such that two races could be run for all the dinghy classes and the Mersea Fishermen’s Open boats in order to re-capture some of the races lost earlier in the week.

MERSEA WEEK OVERALL RESULTS

Finally, the racing throughout the week counts towards the Overall Results and the final prizegiving took place on the Yacht Club Lawn drawing to a close another successful week. A new trophy, the “Scorpio Tophy” has kindly been donated by Richard Matthews to Mersea Week for the Stella Class and this was presented to Alan Jones in Stella Peacock. The Stellas having enjoyed very close class racing throughout the week.

Smacks
1st Boadicea – Reuben Frost
2nd Dorothy – Paul Harding/Rob Lee
3rd Sunbeam – John Minister

Classics
1st Vali – Dan Maynard
2nd Cygnet of Arden – Trevor Green
3rd Patica – Joe Kershaw

Cruiser Slow Handicap
1st Bargoose – MikeEdwards/Dave Lewis
2nd Scout – Oliver Kearin
3rd Aquabairn – Mike Berry

Cruiser Medium Handicap
1st Parody – Pete & Kate Orrin
2nd Pd2 – Martin Blackmore
3rd Ghostbuster – Brian George/Ian Vince

Cruiser Fast Handicap
1st Skybird – Vic Prior/Julian
2nd Lord Destiny – Ed Taylor & Martin Wiggins
3rd Halloween – Adrian Mulville

Stella One Design
1st Stella Peacock – Alan Jones
2nd Polaris – Mike Willett
3rd Persephone – Peter Smith

Mersea Fishermen’s Open Boats (Fast)
1st Ellen – Kay Linscott/Richard Hayden
2nd Wild Goose – Carline Sydenham
3rd Ino – Simon Bland

Mersea Fishermen’s Open Boats (Slow)
1st Bumble – Kevin Wood
2nd Lady “G” – David Dunn
3rd Serenity – Jackie Morley

Dinghy Slow Handicap
1st R S Feva – Alice & Catherine Kent
2nd Sea Ranger – John & Linda Kent
3rd Laser Pico – Polly Shaw

Dinghy Medium Handicap 1st Laser – Sam Minns
2nd Laser Radial – William Powell
3rd Merlin Rocket – Barry Ashmore

Dinghy Fast Handicap
1st 29er – Guy Harrison
2nd 29er – Harry Sharpe
3rd 29er – Emily Broadhurst

Our thanks once again to our Sponsors, Mersea Estate Agents, Marfleet Lettings, Peter Clarke Boatyard Ltd; Home Choice Carpets and West Mersea Marine for their invaluable financial in put. Thanks also to all involved on and off the water in the Dabchicks and the Yacht Club, and to the competitors for participating to ensure that Mersea Week continues to be an important date in the sailing calendar.