Oram Trophy at Brancaster Staithe and Overy Staithe Sailing Club

Oram Trophy at Brancaster Staithe Sailing Club and Overy Staithe Sailing Club © Will Worsley

The Oram Trophy is an inter-club event run each year by Brancaster Staithe and Overy Staithe Sailing Clubs and involves three races on consecutive days - a sail in the harbour at Brancaster, a passage race through to Overy Staithe and then racing in the harbour at Overy.

The event is open to juniors, with a separate class for those over 17, and it traditionally has a very strong junior contingent. This year was no different with Bernard being the sole adult sailor competing.

Oram Trophy at Brancaster Staithe Sailing Club and Overy Staithe Sailing Club - photo © Will Worsley

Overy Staithe were delighted to field a strong team for the 2024 event, with loan boats courtesy of Faire Sailing, lots of encouragement from the club and parents, and glorious weather all coming together to encourage helms to get out on the water. The sail at Brancaster was described as 'fast and fun' with a triangular starboard rounding course providing plenty of gybes to catch the unwary. Bernard's comment was 'if I'm flying along hiked out with the boat humming, perfectly flat, in glorious sunshine with the waves hitting me in the face I'm happy and I was more than happy today'! For some this was their first foray away from their home waters and everyone who went along and represented the club did incredibly well.

Oram Trophy at Brancaster Staithe Sailing Club and Overy Staithe Sailing Club - photo © Will Worsley

The passage race is one of those sailing events which every OSSC sailor should do at least once. Leaving Brancaster Harbour and sailing past the Nod mark to enter Norton Creek before popping back out into our 'home waters', and doing so in glorious sunshine really can't be beaten. OSSC Commodore Ben Goakes was on the water to welcome the fleet into Overy's home waters. Reports are that it was a 'shallow' sail but absolutely beautiful with non stop sunshine and a light breeze - perfect for novice and experienced helms alike. Huge thanks go to Will Worsley for doing the trolley delivery service from Brancaster to Overy.

Oram Trophy at Brancaster Staithe Sailing Club and Overy Staithe Sailing Club - photo © Will Worsley

The final day was our 'hosting' day and Andy was RO, assisted by Jemma (BSSC) with both clubs providing safety cover, which turned out to be a busy occupation!. A total of 24 boats entered, so it was a good sized fleet. The beat out of the creek proved challenging for some of the fleet, with the wind in the harbour proving to be 'more than expected' and there were plenty of capsizes to keep sailors cool and the safety crews busy.

All in all an amazing three days with both clubs working really hard to make the event a huge success.

Overall Results: