Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club Jersey Telecom Regatta

Boat line up for the start of the 6th Jersey Telecom Regatta © RCIYC

The 6th combined yacht clubs’ Jersey Telecom Regatta, was held in superb conditions from 3rd – 5th September. The Friday evening saw the traditional ‘shakedown’ races, enabling competitors and committee boats to iron out last minute bugs before the Regatta started on Saturday. Weather conditions were superb with a moderate north-westerly breeze, coupled with calm seas, that ensured a good evening’s sailing for all.

First blood in the Sportboat class went to The Dogs, skippered by Allen Brown, beating Guernseyman Roger Martel’s Wonkey Donkey into second place for the Fairy Cup. In the IRC handicap cruiser/racer class, for the Dyce trophy, Toybox took line honours but Jammin, skippered by Guy Pipon, claimed victory on corrected time. This race saw the appearance of JOG Captain Andy Hill’s J92 Just Enough from Cowes with Peter Whittle’s Young 8.8 Kereru arriving, from Brighton, just in time to join in the evening race. Mark Staveley’s Jandavina narrowly beat Barry McClelland’s Indulgence in the RCH handicap cruiser class to win the Mallard trophy. Tim Thornley’s Oshun, also from Brighton, came third.

The evening saw victory, also, for Mick Doleman’s Hobie Tiger, Roar Edge, narrowly beating Gordon Burgis’ Hobie 16, Pure Energy, in the Open Sport-catamaran class to take the Ratner trophy. In the Open Dinghy class, Heather Speller’s Streaker, Flasher, won the Benson and Hedges Transom from Joel Lucas’ Laser, Wild Card. Mike Harrison chalked up a win in the Dayboat class with Jigsaw to take the 2nd Elfin Cup just ahead of Malcolm Annan’s Jamesina.

By Saturday morning, the wind had veered to the northeast where it held throughout the day at a steady 8 to 12 knots with blazing sunshine.

The Dogs carried the day in the Sportboat class, winning all four races over a windward-leeward course to clinch the Mavourneen and 1st Elfin trophies. The Bees, skippered by David Myatt took second in both series whilst Guernsey’s March Hare and Wonkey Donkey each got a third. In the IRC handicap class, Toybox also had a very good day, beating Jammin in the Ken Budden trophy and Rhys Perkins’ Xtravaganza in the June Kingham. French visitor, Loic Gourio’s Malouine won the RCH handicap cruisers’ Nautilus trophy from Bob Milner’s Shasa and fellow Frenchman Jacques Morvan’s Moustique. In the second race of the day, Shasa sailed well to win the St Helier YC Cruising trophy. Two wins in the Open Sport-catamarans’ three race Gaiety Bowl series gave another victory to Gordon Burgis’ Pure Energy from Grant Neale’s Hobie 16, This Way Up. The Howard trophy, for Open Dinghies, went to Martin Speller sailing his Laser Radial, Graffiti with Joel Lucas’ Wild Card second after three races. In the Dayboat class, Jamesina won two of the three races to win the Wings trophy ahead of Jigsaw whilst a similar performance by Chloë Denoual in her Optimist, Salty Bean, won her the Nick Orchard trophy ahead of Laura-Jane Carter’s Optimist, Butterfly. Things were much closer in the Hobie Dragoon class with Simon Thebault ‘s First Up just clinching first place ahead of Alex Pearce’s Sonny G on countback.

Conditions on Sunday were even better for most sailors with the wind remaining in the north-east but building from moderate to fresh.

Simon Benest’s Moist & Wet took the second of the Bolitho Urn races, thus preventing The Dogs from taking all the trophies in their class. Wonkey Donkey sailed well to come second to The Dogs in the Bill Coom Cup. In the IRC cruiser class, victory in the St Helier YC’s Commodore’s Cup went to dead-heated David Jones’ Jack Rabbit and Jammin whilst Xtravaganza took the Tom Lee Memorial trophy just half a minute ahead of Toybox. Janine Harland won the Class 1 Ladies’ trophy, helming Cavallo. Jandavina had a clear win over Brendan McGinley’s Huff’n’Puff to take the Tregear Cup whilst roles were reversed in the RCIYC trophy. Serena Tirel, helming Huff’n’Puff, won the RCH Ladies’ Cup. The freshening breeze was ideal for most sport-catamarans. Roar Edge clocked up two wins to take the Caprice Salver ahead of Pure Energy. In the Open Dinghy class, Flasher won the Canadian Club trophy, well clear of Graffiti. The RNVR Perpetual Challenge trophy for Dayboats saw a win for Mike Jackson with the Squib, Helios, just one point ahead of Jesse, helmed by Peter Hanning. In the Enterprise trophy, the Junior Dinghy class saw a close win for Lydia Carter’s Optimist, Funki Fly, ahead of Tiger Tops. The second Hobie Dragoon trophy went to Sonny G ahead of Half & Half.

The Regatta drew to a close on Sunday evening when the Lieutenant-Governor, Sir John Cheshire, accompanied by Lady Cheshire presented the trophies in the presence of Mr Bo Pinel, representing Jersey Telecom. This was undoubtedly a worthy successor to last year’s Regatta , having enjoyed a very high turnout, brilliant conditions and the company of more visiting yachts than ever before.

The Regatta was sponsored by Jersey Telecom, Jersey Tourism, Education Sport & Culture and Jersey Harbours, to whom the organisers extend their most grateful thanks.

Detailed results are available on www.rciyc.org and at both the RCIYC and St Helier YC.