Royal Temple Yacht Club 2020 Season Recap
by Piers Hodges 13 Nov 2020 14:43 GMT
IRC Class start – Stiletto, Foxy and Cobra © Karen Cox
As I sit and write this article, the mainstream news is for once, somewhat positive, with the promising developments in the deployment of a COVID-19 vaccine. It is perhaps somewhat appropriate that RTYC racers often use the former Pfizer plant at Sandwich as a landmark!
In spite of the COVID related restrictions, the club was able to run a restricted racing program as measures were progressively eased. Starting with a stand-alone two-handed series, then restricted crew racing and finishing with full IRC crew allowance series.
The two-handed racing series ran from June into July as we emerged from lockdown, and drew a total of 10 boats over the short series. The crew limit kept the true racers harbour bound, wondering perhaps if smaller more manageable boats, or in some cases, rolling furling, isn't such a bad thing after all! After four races, and in a fitting tribute to much missed Julian Poupard, the family owned X-99 'Expedite' took the series victory with a clean sweep of wins.
RTYC 2020 2-Handed Series Final Standings:
1. Expedite - Poupard Family
2. Sandstorm - Kim and Heather Leatt
3. Pippy - John and Michelle Stoneley
RTYC and Autumn Series
The full year series comprised four races with restricted crew sizes (maximum of 2/3 of IRC allowance or six) combined with the six race Autumn series, where full IRC crew allowances were in effect, in-line with RORC guidelines.
For the most part the weather cooperated, with the exception of a couple of cancellations owing to a pair of 'named' storms making UK landfall over consecutive weekends. Crews enjoyed some positively tropical conditions for some races, and were thankful for the sheltered conditions in Sandwich Bay on the days when things were a little 'fresh'.
The fleet saw some welcome new additions, with Rob Smith joining Class 1 in 'Kabluzo' (ex 'The Geek'), whilst Class 2 were joined with a new 'Buccaneer' entry and the extensively re-fitted Robber 'Daylight Robbery'.
Racing was close and competitive in-spite of the extended lay-off, with a dead heat for 3rd place in one race (after handicap) and some other races decided by seconds.
Plans for 2021
Plans are already being formulated to run a full season in 2021, which will include some weekend mini regattas, the 'Round the Goodwins' race, and the ever popular Euromarine Insurance Ramsgate Week Regatta, scheduled to run from 18-23 July, 2021.
RTYC 2020 Series Final Standings:
Class 1 IRC
1. Stiletto - John Barrett and Paul Woodward
2. Kabluzo - Rob Smith
3. Assassin - Peter Jackson
Class 2 IRC
1. Foxy - Mike and Jo Brand
2. Cobra - Paul Thomas, Matt and Roger Green
3. Buccaneer 2 - Peter Pearson, Mike Lilwall and Chris Gouldstone
Joint IRC Classes
1. Stiletto - John Barrett and Paul Woodward
2. Foxy - Mike and Jo Brand
3. Kabluzo - Rob Smith
Cruising Classes 3 and 4
1. Pippy - John and Michelle Stoneley
2. Manana - Michael White and Candida Owens
3. Cordyl 2 - Carine Bishop and Maria Wilcock
RTYC 2020 Autumn Series Final Standings:
Class 1 IRC
1. Stiletto - John Barrett and Paul Woodward
2. Assassin - Peter Jackson
3. Kabluzo - Rob Smith
Class 2 IRC
1. Foxy - Mike and Jo Brand
2. Buccaneer 2 - Peter Pearson, Mike Lilwall and Chris Gouldstone
3. Cobra - Paul Thomas, Matt and Roger Green
Joint IRC Classes
1. Stiletto - John Barrett and Paul Woodward
2. Foxy - Mike and Jo Brand
3. Buccaneer 2 - Peter Pearson, Mike Lilwall and Chris Gouldstone
Cruising Classes 3 and 4
1. Pippy - John and Michelle Stoneley
2. Manana - Michael White and Candida Owens
3. Cordyl 2 - Carine Bishop and Maria Wilcock