Centenary Regatta at Lyme Regis Sailing Club
by Sally Holman 23 Aug 2021 16:38 BST
7-8 August 2021
Centenary Regatta at Lyme Regis - Championship of the Day start © David Beer
Lyme Regis Sailing Club held its Centenary Regatta this August celebrating the formation of the club in 1921. The Regatta BBQ was followed by the unveiling of the plaque marking its hundredth year.
Saturday 7 Aug
Racing The Regatta series of three races over two days concludes with the traditional Championship of the Day when all classes combine in a general handicap race.
This year saw strong westerly winds and rolling waves for which Lyme is famous, challenging for all. Race Officer Rob Wiscombe monitored the conditions from the Committee boat before releasing the fleet of 21 boats, including the more experienced under 18s, from shore close to the scheduled start time.
Soon after starting, and with several retirements, he abandoned the attempt in 20-25 knot winds and sent everyone ashore. Many capsizes and some gear failures, but the patrol boats saw all return safely.
Commemorative Plaque Unveiled
The club welcomed guests including the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Brian Larcombe and his wife Wendy, to join members and former members for a BBQ following racing. Commodore Rob Wiscombe spoke of his family connections with the club since its inception, including through his father, the late John Wiscombe. Rob also looked to the next 100 years, stressing the eco-friendly credentials of the sport of sailing and its prominence at the heart of Lyme's seafarers.
The Commodore proposed the toast to 'Lyme Regis Sailing Club'. The Mayor congratulated the club on its Centenary, spoke of his memories, the historic place of the sailing fraternity and the importance of the present youth section training. Brian thanked Rob and the members on behalf of the guests before unveiling the memorial plaque.
Sunday 8 August
In just slightly less wind, between 15-20 knots, and with a similar sea state, fielding four patrol boats to cover the fleet, Race Officer Rob assisted by Margaret, ran two races back-to-back on a short course clearly visible from the sea front. Alan Vian provided comments for visitors spectating. A close watch was again kept by the Beachmaster and team stationed at the club.
These were races for only the most competent, experienced club sailors who enjoy such conditions. With a few retirements, nine completed the first race and seven the second. The closely-contested first race was won by only one second on corrected time in a 35 minute race: Tim and Sarah Parsons (Merlin) just beating Graham Cook (Laser Radial) followed less than a minute later by Cameron and Darrol Moss (RS800) in third.
A further one second between Simon Clark (Laser Radial) in fourth and Simon Heusen (Phantom) in fifth showed the keen competition between the dinghies, all but one finishing within four minutes of the leaders.
The Championship of the Day followed on for the eight boats competing. With Tim O'Toole and Simon Law having to retire due to a broken tiller, the seven contenders again finished within 4 minutes of each other in a 40 minute race. Similar demanding sea and wind conditions, short legs less suited to the asymmetric 800s and hard work for all crews with spinnakers raised and lowered multiple times, average lap times as well as handicaps had to be taken into consideration.
All raced for the same elapsed time. Only 9 seconds separated Graham Cook in first from Simon Heusen in second, then half a minute to third place for Tim and Sarah and fourth for Simon Clark. Elapsed times were sent by email to Sailing Secretary Allan Tyler by the Race Officer and team on the committee boat, meaning results were published as sailors came back to the clubhouse.
Full results at lymeregissailingclub.com/results and more photos at www.facebook.com/lymeregissailingclub