Whitstable Yacht Club RNLI Pursuit Race 2025

Whitstable Yacht Club RNLI Pursuit Race 2025 © Ruth Oliver

Whitstable Yacht Club held their annual pursuit race last Saturday June 21st in aid of Whitstable RNLI. There was some great racing with a fleet of thirty-six boats who ranged from experts to seven members of the recent Transition to Racing course and four parent and child double handers.

First away were a brace of Toppers into a shifty and gusty F2, followed by a Lightning, a gaggle of Laser Radials, a couple of Solos, a decent fleet of Laser Standards, an RS200, Tasars, Merlins and eventually a Flying Dutchman, Musto Skiff and a group of Dart 18's.

The Toppers led for the first couple of laps but as stronger gusts came through the writing was on the wall for the slower classes. The Lasers of Christoper Marsh and Harry Newton were the first to overtake with the Tasar of Rick and Sarah Perkins coming through on lap 3. With 15 minutes to go the Merlin of Phil Emery and Pheobe Payne caught the leading Tasar, by then that of Stephen Nation and Theresa Page with the leading Lasers still clear.

With all to play for the last run was decisive with the Merlin going clear - a short fetch and quick upwind saw Phil and Phoebe take the prize from the Lasers of Christopher Marsh and Harry Newton who kept clear of the Tasars of Rick and Sarah and Stephen and Theresa.

A total of £313 was raised for Whitstable RNLI - £133 from general donations and £180 from one cadet member on his own to add to the funds for saving lives at sea!

Thanks to the race team and safety boat crews led my Mike the RO - a difficult day in shifting offshore breeze, and great to see WYC's improving sailors taking on a full 90 minute race with enthusiasm.

Whitstable Yacht Club RNLI Pursuit Race 2025 - photo © Ruth Oliver

Overall Results: