Squibs at the 2013 Weymouth Regatta

There was a new format for Weymouth Regatta this year; it was called 'Yacht Clubs of Weymouth Keelboat Championship'. There were five classes of keelboat that included, IRC1, Impala, Slow Handicap, Fast handicap and Squib with feeder races from the Solent and Poole. There were seven races sailed over two evenings and three days, the first evening was sailed in Portland harbour and all the rest in Weymouth Bay.

Race 1 (Wednesday Evening) - In Portland harbour with an Olympic Course, Wind WSW 16 knots

Quantum (Simon Vines/Jill Vines) led Inky Finger (Dave McCune/Edwin Page) from Aldebaran (Paul Withers/ Peter Jackson) at the first windward mark and held her lead until the penultimate downwind leg where Inky Finger took the lead and held on for a very narrow victory from Quantum with Aldebaran third.

Race 2 (Thursday Evening) Olympic Course, Wind WSW 14 knots

Aldebaran led at the first windward mark closely followed by Quantum and Longshot (Jim Chalmers/Ann Chalmers), Aldebaran kept her lead to the line followed home by Longshot and Quantum.

Race 3 (Friday) One Long Distance race, Wind SW 12 knots

Inky Finger led at the first windward mark from Longshot and Aldebaran, this order was maintained at Ringstead mark (Leeward mark approx. 3miles from windward mark)) but Longshot took the lead on the long upwind leg, and kept the lead to the finish from Aldebaran and Iceni Rebel (Caroline Nairn/Colin Hammond).

Race 4 (Saturday) Olympic Course, Wind SW 25 gusting 35 knots

Aldebaran led from the start and was never headed to the finishing line; Inky Finger overtook Longshot on the second beat and held this to the end, Longshot finished third.

Race 5 (Saturday) Olympic Course, Wind SW 25 gusting 35 knots

After the first race in these winds only three Squibs started and Aldebaran quickly led from Inky Finger and Viking Gold (Keith Howorth/Another), this order was maintained to the finish.

Race 6 (Sunday) – Olympic Course, Wind WSW @ 14 knots

Inky Finger led at the first windward mark and comfortably held her lead to the finish from Aldebaran and Quantum.

Race 7 (Sunday) Olympic Course, Wind WSW @14 knots

Inky Finger led at the first windward mark from Longshot and Quantum, Inky Finger maintained her lead until the final windward mark where Longshot just got round in front of her with Aldebaran someway back in third. Inky Finger regained the lead on the downwind leg and held off Longshot at the line with Aldebaran third.

Overall Results:

1st Inky Finger, 7pts (winner on count back)
2nd Aldebaran, 7pts
3rd Longshot, 12pts
4th Quantum, 19pts

For more details visit www.weymouthregatta.co.uk