The May Bank Holiday weekend saw the Commodore’s Regatta at Rye Harbour Sailing Club. Five cruisers competed over three days whilst the dinghies raced for the seventh time this year on the Sunday. Saturday saw a sunny day with light winds from the E to SE with spinnaker and asymmetric sails being set by the cruisers. On Sunday the wind was slightly more challenging from the S to SE force 4 to 5 with sea conditions being moderate.
On Sunday, with a high tide at around two o’clock the dinghies had plenty of time for leisurely preparation before beating down the River Rother into the face of the wind, gusting in excess of 20 knots; this required a great deal of hard work to get to the start line by the red light port harbour entrance marker. Bystanders could clearly be seen on Winchelsea Beach watching events unfold and no doubt fearing for a number of capsizes.
Whilst the tide was coming in or on the ebb the sea was comparatively benign but as soon as it turned against the wind the peaks and troughs became quite a handful for dinghies to cope with – but they did.
Under the control of the OOD (Officer of the Day), Stephen Eccles, five dinghy competitors shot off in the high winds with Simon Marsh and Jeremy and Alison Short taking an early command of the race. Competition was fierce and conditions were unforgiving of mistakes at the turning markers, time was lost or gained on the turns and capsizing was a guarantee of moving down the results board. Simon Marsh was the eventual winner with John Powell 30 seconds behind, both sailing in Laser dinghies. Jeremy and Alison short came in third place sailing a Laser 4000.
Back at the clubhouse events were discussed and analysed with an emphasis on the fun that the race provided and an opportunity to explain why this or that hadn’t quite worked on the day. The Commodore, Caroline Wylson, then presented prizes to the first three competitors.
On Monday the weather deteriorated and with a southerly gale force 8 forecast, the final cruiser race of the regatta was cancelled. It did however provide the opportunity for the cruiser crews to get together over a drink at the clubhouse before the winners of the cruiser race were presented with prizes. Mallard, a Westerly Fulmar, was first over the line and also took the trophy, followed by Limbo Girl, a Limbo 6.6, in second place and Mystic Sky, a Contessa 32, in third place.
Rye Harbour Sailing Club will be involved in the Royal Yachting Association’s annual “Push the Boat Out” event over the weekend May 13/14. The event aims to encourage new sailors and those who haven’t sailed for a while to come and have a go. Experienced sailors will take members of the public out on dinghies and cruisers on the River Rother and in Rye Bay.
Photos: RHSC