Sportsboat Regatta at Royal Northumberland Yacht Club

13/14 May saw the inaugural Wylam Brewery Sportsboat regatta hosted by the Royal Northumberland Yacht Club. 16 yachts travelled from all over the north east coast to take part in the five race series. The weather wasn’t kind, being cold and grey for the most, but steady breezes provided excellent uninterrupted racing.

Three races were sailed back to back on Saturday in a 15mph NE breeze. The first, a windward leeward, split the fleet on the first beat, with the Cork 1720 Trident UK and Risky Business, a Melges 24, rounding first and the rest of the fleet close behind. Not much separated the fleet at the finish with the Soling Supero taking the first race. Two olympic triangles followed and the racing remained close with less then 6 minutes separating the fleet on corrected times. The Cork 1720’s continued to show strong form but the Sigma 8 metre’s Buddy and Thunderbirds remained in contention. At the end of the first day the results were tight with only 4 point separating fourth from first place.

At the end of racing free beer was supplied to all boats courtesy of the event sponsor Wylam Brewery. The obligatory party followed with several sailors struggling to find any direction at the end of the evening!

Sunday began with a light SE breeze. As the fleet worked its way up the first beat they again split with some heading for the beach out of the tide. But when the two met the offshore boats had gained. The Cork 1720 Wild Reiver rounded first and the Corks remained strong taking first and second over the water. The second race saw the wind increase to 17 mph and the fleet enjoyed some fast reaching for the final race.

The results were close with the Soling taking 3rd just ahead of the RS K6. But honours went to Trident UK, who sailed a very consistent regatta. The event proved a great success and promises to be even more successful next year

Overall Results: