Exciting Regatta Season at Overy Staithe Sailing Club: Join the Thrill of Competitive Sailing!
Regatta Season at Overy Staithe Sailing Club
19-25 August 2024
A bustling week in the club’s calendar commenced on Monday, August 19, with the Mirror fleet racing for the Timmy Roy Trophy. The race took place on the evening tide, and Race Officers Jeremy Neville-Elliott and Camilla Warner worked diligently to conduct three races as daylight faded.
Fortunately, the anticipated high winds did not materialize, allowing the fleet to complete three races in the lagoon while sailing home with red sails in the twilight. The trophy was presented by Linda, Timmy Roy’s wife, surrounded by three generations of the Roy family—each either sailing or watching.
Finishing Positions: (top three)
1st Alex Scoles and Sam Lamont
2nd Vince and Fiona Phillips
3rd Ben and Jacob Goakes
On Tuesday evening, the fleet raced for the Wilson Stephens Trophy, specifically for helms and crews under 17. With a vibrant junior scene, there was a commendable turnout of 13 juniors participating in the water. Race officers Sam and Richard Mason set a course that allowed the juniors to finish on the club line, with parents and spectators eagerly watching.
The Ladies Race also took place on Tuesday evening.
Ladies Race Finishing Positions: (top three)
1st Lucy Lamont (Laser 4.7)
2nd Sophia Hodges (Laser 4.7)
3rd Issy Hargreaves (Laser 4.7)
Junior Race Finishing Positions: (top three)
1st Max Freemantle (Laser Radial)
2nd James Lamont (Topper)
3rd Fred Fellows/Hugo Hodges (Topper)
Wednesday marked a switch to early morning racing for the Elizabeth Mowbray Trophy, starting at 7 am. The bright sunny morning was accompanied by a deceptively gusty wind, providing plenty of thrills and spills. The high tide covered the marsh, making navigation slightly more challenging than usual.
Finishing Positions: (top three)
1st Lucy Lamont (Laser Radial)
2nd Alex Scoles (Europe)
3rd Spike Turner (OK)
Thursday’s race was planned to be an open event, kicking off four days of regatta sailing. However, due to extremely high tides and gusty winds reaching 40 mph, a determined group of sailors ended up watching the winds from shore while enjoying their coffee. Spectators observed an RS Aero towed out to the lagoon racing across with hair-raising gusts. Racing was ultimately abandoned for the day.
Friday mirrored Thursday’s challenges, with even heavier winds and larger waves. After witnessing a Laser launch, capsize, and quickly return to shore, the Aero team ventured out in a motorboat and returned looking like ‘drowned rats.’ Following discussions about the wind conditions, the few who remained decided to call it a day.
Saturday finally brought the first day of open regatta races, always known for their fun atmosphere. This day featured a mix of competitive racers and newcomers, all participating in the races with a spirit of enjoyment. The race officers had to quickly move from starting the races on the committee boat to finishing on the quay line. The newly painted ‘finish diamond’ and the new hooter were greatly appreciated by participants. Despite light wind and damp conditions, an impressive 43 boats came to the start line for an enjoyable race.
On Sunday, the second day of the regatta event saw an even better turnout, with 46 boats on the water across seven fleets. It was a beautiful sunny morning as the committee boat moored off Warpole, setting a course to mark A for the first leg, followed by D, F, C, and finishing at the quay line.
Trophy winners included:
Stella Trophy (Clinkers) – Julie Carroll and Ruth McEwan
Evans Challenge Cup (Europes) – Alex Scoles
Captain Rix Trophy (OKs) – Peter Turner
Storer Trophy (Laser full rig) – Ash Deakin
Maclean Trophy (Laser Radials and 4.7) – Lucy Lamont
The Green Trophy (Mirrors) – R and C Shannon
Stratton Cup (Handicap) – Magnus Jackson
Laflin (Juniors U17) – Theo Adams
Laflin (Juniors U14) – Fred Fellows
Lorimer Trophy (Clinkers) – Julie Carroll and Ruth McEwan
Earle Cup (OKs) – Peter Turner
Douglas Carruthers Bowl – Jane Heath
Oliver Hayes, a seasoned sailor and marine journalist from Southampton, has a profound love for the sea that has shaped his career. Holding a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Portsmouth, Oliver is celebrated for his compelling and insightful storytelling. His work vividly captures the excitement of sailing and the rich maritime heritage of the United Kingdom, making him a respected figure in the sailing community. When not writing, Oliver enjoys exploring the British Isles’ diverse coastlines and participating in local regattas, always on the lookout for his next nautical adventure.