Netley Sailing Club August Bank Holiday Regatta

Netley Sailing Club August Bank Holiday Regatta Prize Winners © Karen Main

Another busy club weekend! Despite the wind and rain forecast, by Saturday morning our camp field was buzzing, with many members and their families pitching up on Friday evening ready for a busy weekend on and off the water including racing, DJ Jon-Jaq, a family fun quiz, treasure hunt, yoga and the infamous 'Netathlon'. 58 boats completed at least one dinghy race over the weekend.

One race was sailed on Saturday and even some of the most experienced spent time practising their swimming. The Contenders revelled in the conditions, James Ross winning, followed by Simon Mussell and Ed Presley. In the Slow Fleet, the Mirror of James and Rhys Stewart took the win with RS200s Monty and Heather Ross and Vicky Taylor and Nick Sandison in 2nd and 3rd. A building wind, regularly gusting above 30 knots, led to Race 2 being abandoned and an early return to shore. For some members, this was the chance to showcase or practise their wing foiling and windsurfing/foiling technique just in front of the club - great for spectators on the patio and in the bar!

Sunday was breezy and wet, but slightly easier conditions tempted more members out to join in the two races sailed. It was great to see so many different classes and ages represented on the water in the two fleets. In the Fast fleet, it was Graeme Willcox (Contender) and Monty Ross (29er) who closely fought first place in Race 3 and, in Race 4, the Contenders of Simon and Ed. Nicholas and Seb Charles (Mirror) won Races 3 and 4 in the Slow fleet ahead of Ian Gregory (RS Aero7) and Terry Hunt (Blaze). Dinghy racing was followed by Winging/Windsurfing Sprint Racing on a slalom style course, an opportunity to put Saturday's practice to the test. Congratulations to Monty Ross for winning the 3-race mini-series (great style!) and runner-up Christian Humphrey.

Monday saw the biggest racing entries of the weekend and some welcome sunshine. Congratulations to winners of our 'Netathlon' event, which due to the breezy conditions and following heavy rain was ran as a run-run: 1st Adult Harry ? and 1st Junior team Evan Bonfield and Daniel Stead. Once again, the Contenders excelled with Ed and James showing consistency with 1st and 2nd in both races. In Race 5, David and Alex Steed (Mirror) came 2nd to Nicholas and Seb whilst Keira and Ben McGrane (Mirror) won Race 6.

A massive thank you must go to everyone involved in organising events over the weekend and congratulations to all our prize winners!

Overall Results:

Slow fleet
1st Nick and Seb Charles (Mirror)
2nd James and Rhys Stewart (Mirror)
3rd Terry Hunt (Blaze)

Fast fleet
1st Ed Presley (Contender)
2nd James Ross (Contender)
3rd Steve Main (RS100)

1st Youth Boat Charlie Hunt and Sam English (RS200)
Youngest Helm to complete a race Daniel Steed (RS Tera)
Endeavour Prize Scott Dawson and various crews (Buzz)