Royal Northumberland Yacht Club Regatta 2008

by Jez Watson 4 Oct 2008 11:11 BST 20-21 September 2008

Royal Northumberland Yacht Clubs regatta was re-run over the weekend of the 20th and 21st September following its postponement two weeks earlier for bad weather. Despite the hasty change of time and format, over 20 yachts turned up for the clubs blue ribbon event. Two bay races in light to moderate breeze on Saturday were followed by a light wind longer inshore race on the Sunday. With no discard, all race results were vital if you wanted the big prize.

The first race on Saturday started in a light westerly breeze. In the sportsboat and division I fleets Aufwiedersehen Pet (Melges 24, RNYC) was first round closely followed by Risky Business (Melges 24, RNYC) and Hummingbird (IMX 38, RNYC). But the asymmetric struggled on the light run and Hummingbird and No Limit (Beneteau 25, RNYC) made ground, catching both Melges by the leeward mark. The wind then went very light and shifted 90 degrees, benefiting everyone to the left of the shift. No limit did very well and went on the win race 1. Division II was dominated by the sonatas with White magic (SYC) taking race one convincingly. The white sail was very close with the race finally being taken by Flushhound (Foxhound 24, SYC), followed by Thumper (Contessa 28, RNYC)

Race two brought an increase in the breeze with a steady southerly 12 knots. Hummingbird reveled in these conditions taking first in race 2. Jem (J80, RNYC) faired much better in the constant breeze as did Corkanut (Cork 1720, RNYC). In division II Stratagem (Sonata, SYS) took the honours in the second race, with White Magic second and Expresso (Albin express, RNYC) in third. Thumper took the white sail class with Blue max (Maxi 77, SYC) in second.

A light wind Sunday meant the long race was shortened but still took several hours to complete. Several place changes occurred in all fleets but the best results were seen by boats holding their nerve and staying inshore. Here the breeze filled in a little more than the very light offshore wind and the inshore yachts managed to ghost away to the shortened course finish line. Aufwiedersehen Pet went on win the third race and take first overall for the sportsboats and division I. Division II was again dominated by the sonatas with Stratagem winning the last race and taking the class overall. Flushhound took the third race and the overall first place in the white sail class.

Many thanks to RNYC and the race committee for great racing and excellent hospitality.

Overall Results:

Pos	Boat Name	Club	Boat Type
Sportboats and Division I
1	Aufwiedersehen Pet	RNYC	Melges 24
2	No Limit	RNYC	Beneteau 25
3	Hummingbird	RNYC	IMX 38
Division II
1	Stratagem	SYC	Sonata
2	White Magic	SYC	Sonata
3	Expresso	RNYC	Albin Express
Division III (white sail)
1	Flushhound	SYC	Foxhound 24
2	Thumper	RNYC	Contessa 28
3	Blue Max	SYC	Maxi 77