Surrey Schools Regatta at Papercourt Sailing Club

Photos © Dennis Martin

44 boats entered the first Regatta of 2002 at Papercourt Lake on Saturday March 16th for Surrey Schools and Affiliated Groups.

The first handicap race started in fine sunny weather with a moderate southwesterly breeze giving the sailors a good test of their skills over a long course using most of the lake. In the Fast Fleet, Adam Baxter’s British Moth (Therfield) won from Charles Roome – Laser (Royal Grammar School) with James Boyce (Papercourt Young Sailors) in a Radial third, just 29 seconds covering the three boats. The Slow Fleet saw the usual domination of Toppers broken by Tom Buffham (RGS) in a Topaz coming a close second to James Upton-Prowse – Topper of PYS with Ben McVeigh -Topper of Island Barn Juniors 3rd.

Four Optimists sailed in the Junior Fleet, Henry Maxfield of RGS winning by 41 Seconds After lunch a combined Class and Handicap event was sailed followed by a third handicap event. The afternoon weather was not as kind, the wind dropping and cloud and rain developing.

In the Class races, it was refreshing to see larger fleets of Enterprises (8) and Lasers (7) competing for the awards as well as the usual large fleet of Toppers(17).

A total of nine different classes sailed, giving new Race Officer David Wingrove and his team a testing time in the race box.

Overall Results: