Annual Regatta at Buckenham Sailing Club

B.S.C's two day regatta started on Saturday afternoon with only seven boats braving the difficult, strong gusty wind.

Winner of the allcomers race was Simon Cullum in a Laser followed by Chris and Sarah Toothill in their Javelin. Rollin Tate was third. The second race saw Toothill winning with Cullum in second. Unfortunately during one particularly strong squall right at the end of the race, Chris's port lower started to pull through his deck, rendering his boat unusable for the rest of the weekend.

In the Junior race Peter Cullum achieved two firsts ahead of his cousin David. Yvonne Frosdick had two thirds.

Sunday dawned and the strong southerly was still blowing. The first race was to Cantley and back. Jim Frost in his Phantom steadily pulled away from the fleet to take first place. Second on handicap was Michael Cullum sailing his Laser with a Radial rig. The broad reach from Langley Wood to Cantley produced some exciting and spectacular planing.

With the wind increasing the second race had fewer entrants. Nearly every boat in both senior and junior races experienced at least one capsize.The notable exception being Rollin and Bella Tate in their Wayfarer, and David Cullum, who with one reef in his Topper, made full use of his weight and height to take first place in the Junior race with Peter second. The second allcomers was won by Chris Toothill in a Phantom with Michael Cullum second.

The last race was took place in atrocious conditions. With each heavy rain shower the sky darkened, the wind speed increased and the temperature plummeted. Grey clouds scudded across the windswept marshes and groups of spectators could be seen huddling together,heads bowed, looking more like emperor penguins in the Antarctic than people enjoying a nice July day.

Survival was the name of the game. The junior race was abandoned and only three people finished the allcomers. Chris Toothill was first, Michael Cullum second and Rollin Tate, bravely crewed by his daughter Bella, (who says she enjoyed herself!?)third.

The club would like to thank all the people who staffed the starter's box and all the members who manned the considerable number of safety boats. Also many thanks to all the people who worked so hard in the galley, keeping us supplied with excellent refreshments all weekend.

General Allcomers

1st Chris Toothill
2nd Michael Cullum
3rd Rollin and Bella Tate

Junior Series

1st Peter Cullum
2nd David Cullum
3rd Yvonne Frosdick