Dartmouth Royal Regatta at Royal Dart Yacht Club - Day 1

I-SITE IN CONTROL

In contrast to yesterdays lack of wind, the first day of racing at this years Dartmouth Regatta got off to a fine start in a brisk breeze sweeping across the course in Start Bay.

For the first time this year the 220 strong Dartmouth fleet contains three of the new and rapid Kerr 11.3’s, and it was one of these, I-Site, skippered by Robbie Cameron-Davis that romped away from the IRC1 start to finish almost 10 minutes ahead on elapsed time ahead of Rennie Millers Farr 395 Great Escape. However, I-Site’s time was conclusive enough to ensure that she stayed in front even on handicap, but on corrected time it was last years IRC 1 winner Dave Scanlan in Fandango who took the runner up spot ahead of Hamish Oliphants Corby 35 Highland Spirit with Great Escape 4th on corrected times.

Dartmouth veteran Les Playle was delighted to win IRC2 on corrected times in Papillon ahead of Jonathan Butlers new X332 Peanut although it was close run thing with only 6 seconds separating these two on elapsed times. The J92 Jazz of Stephen Hills took third from Ron and Hazel Ellway in Hazy Rhythm, with last years winner Pete Johnson languishing in 4th in Blues Xtra.

IRC 3 developed into a close race between Spirit – Paul Bradfield and Red Fox of Dart – Peter Blackler, with Spirit just getting the nod by seconds on both elapsed and corrected times, with Head Hunter – Damien Bloor, and AC/DC – Simon Unwin in 3rd and 4th respectively. Several boats had exciting moments when a couple of sudden line squalls caught them on a spinnaker run….

Although Martin Minter was first over the PY1 line in First Sight, corrected times gave the class win to Trevor Bardwell-Jones in his Jeanneau Inky Paper with Steve Pinnie in Whisky Mac in the runner-up spot. In PY2 it was the Trapper 28 Berserker of Stephen Kilpatrick that was first over the line but on corrected time the win went to Fritha and Spencer Gardner.

The Old Gaffers always make a fine sight off the Devon coast and whilst Kelpie’s massive sail plan ensured that she was first home, Dorothy – John Holden – took Div.1/2 on handicap. Mike Lucas in Marie Louise took the smaller Div. 3 category. The small cruisers are a popular class but a confusing start saw Fiona Ion in Island Dancer guess correctly to show a clean pair of heels to the rest of the fleet and win by over 3 minutes from Sophy Gray. The Cornish Shrimper category fell to Paul Kohler in Jacana.

The River Dart has a healthy keel boat fleet and this year the regular Scimitars and Squibs were joined by half a dozen graceful Dragons. Sandy Ellis in Heuschrecke took a close Dragon race, Chris Bidmead in Blazer won the Squibs and Chris Hill in Sapphire took the popular Scimitar race.

Dinghies are gaining in popularity at Dartmouth with racing in the Range and river. In PY1 Tim Johnson literally stormed away from the start in his RS700 PHATRS to win by over half an hour on elapsed time from the Albacore Adrenalin of Jonathan Weeks. PY2 was won by Pilliwinks, the Wayfarer of Robert Thomas, and James Stockbridge took a close fought Laser race on White Noise with only 3 minutes covering the top 6!

The junior sailors raced in the safety of the river at Dittisham and Philip Walker took a surprise Topper win on None from Adam Dyer – Footloose. Kristian King won the Oppys from Brixhams Simon Bower. Racing continues tomorrow in Start Bay and The Range with the Shipmate of Dartmouth races for all classes and categories.

More Information:

• Event Website