Felixstowe Regatta

One of the best yet

Over 50 boats from across the UK and Europe arrived in Suffolk this weekend (3-4 July) for the 2010 Felixstowe Regatta, sponsored by the Haven Gateway Partnership.

The Regatta has recently been moved from its traditional end of May slot to try and ensure better weather, and sailors were not disappointed this year. Yachts took part in three races on Saturday and two on Sunday in the waters off Dovercourt Bay. Participants then enjoyed a full programme of shore-side events, including dinners, entertainment, hospitality and prize-giving ceremonies.

Haven Ports Yacht Club, based in Levington, were declared winners of the team trophy, and were represented by yachts Fatjax, Kiss and Red Macaw.

Peter Cockayne, Chairman of the Regatta organising committee, commented: “This has been one of the best Regatta’s yet. The weather was challenging on Saturday with light and shifting winds, but the conditions on Sunday were perfect and resulted in some fantastic competitive sailing from all of the yachts involved. It was a great way to showcase what great sailing waters and facilities we have in the region. We are once again grateful to the Haven Gateway Partnership for helping us to continue this great event.”

Local MP Therese Coffey helped Haven Gateway Partnership’s Richard Morton with the prizegiving, and the results were as follows:

Winner J80 Class – Double Jeopardy
Winner Multi Hulls Class – Ischnura
Winner Cruiser Class – Juniper of Ore
IRC Class 1 – Fatjax
IRC Class 2 – Double Trouble
IRC Class 3 – Hullabaloo
IRC Class 4 - Scallywag
Winner IRC Classes Overall – Hullabaloo
Winner Team Challenge – Haven Ports Yacht Club

The Hutchison Ports trophy for meritorious performance was awarded to local sailor Will Harvey, 16, for whom this was his first ever regatta. Will sailed on the yacht Pandemonium.

Richard Morton from the Haven Gateway Partnership commented: “The sailors enjoyed some really challenging courses which were set by the organising committee.

“We believe that supporting events like the Felixstowe Regatta will help promote the Haven Gateway not only as an excellent cluster of maritime and marine leisure services but also as a destination for visiting yachtsmen and women. The marine leisure sector is worth £85 million a year and employs 1,800 people in the sub-region.

“We have over 10,000 leisure berths and river moorings in the Haven Gateway sub-region and we feel this is a great opportunity to tell people about the wonderful sailing that is available here.”

The Felixstowe Regatta is organised by five local clubs: Haven Ports Yacht Club, Walton & Frinton Yacht Club, Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club, Royal Harwich Yacht Club and Waldringfield Sailing Club.

For more information on the event please visit www.felixstoweregatta.co.uk