A great entry for the Regatta sponsored by Sailing Chandlery with   60 entries to the Commodore’s Cup and Novice racing and 50 at the social evening.

There was a treasure hunt and painting for the children and plenty camping.

Saturday saw some good gusts giving a few spills, but the wind was swinging, giving Race Officer Ken Twemlow a challenge, setting two beats was sensible option. Racing was close in the fast fleet, Jamie Mawson (RS600) won both races, with Richard and Sarah Mason (Scorpion), second followed by Neil and Lucy Chadborn in RS200. The slow fleet saw sixteen-year-old Samantha Mason leading in an ILCA 4, with Charles Miles-Haylor second (ILCA 6) and Julian Lloyd third (ILCA 6). The junior fleet saw Toby Schofield win the first race, but with difficult conditions in the second race, Toby was the only starter, but retired.

Saturday night saw a great meal produced by Debs, Maddy and catering team.

At 9.15pm there was a short talk on the club’s wildlife initiatives and Barry Collins, a club windsurfer and national bat expert, provided us with a fascinating talk on bats, then about 30 came down to the lakeside to listen to the detectors and watch the infra-red cameras. No sign of bats at firstbut by around 10pm the detectors heard the bats and they appeared on the screen darting down to catch insects on the water surface. Barry identified 4 species from the sounds and behaviour on screen and explained how each bat has a different call. A great way to finish the first day. Thanks to Barry for his time and expertise.

Sunday was more benign, except for a squall in the second race. Wet at times and a light but shifty wind. After the third race it was very much all to play for with only a few points separating the slow fleet first to fifth position, so potentially anyone could win., and though In the fast fleet, Jamie Mawson had a commanding position, however three people were in contention for the Commodores Cup. Jamie was second in the final race, beating Richard and Sarah Mason and Will Gardner and Nicki Theokritoff came third . The slow fleet was much closer with only three points separating the top six. Samantha Mason won with a sixth in the final race, with Gwyneth Lanyon second just 1.5 points behind, the next 4 were separated by a point, with Dana Church thirds, Charles Miles-Haylor fourth, Rebecca Ogden fifth and Julian Lloyd sixth.

The Junior fleet saw Toby Schofield win with a string of firsts and Isaac Dickenson second, both in Toppers.

The vintage National 12 fleet had four immaculate Nationals from several eras of clinker built National 12 design, Graham and Felix Camm (Burghfield) were dominant in China Doll with two firsts and two seconds. Alan Mason and Jonathan Bradley (Redesmere) followed and third on equal points was John Sears and Andrea Murphy both with first, second, third.

The two Novice races saw Rebecca Dickenson win in a Pico, with Andy Hill & Vicky Gale second in a Lark.

Thanks go not only to Neil for organising the event, but Ken and Sue Twemlow and Deb Pennington for  race management and collatingthe complex results! The prize-giving, sponsored by Sailing Chandlery, was held with a packed house.

Long results with fleets and races – Novice Results

Photos: David Eberlin, except prizegiving Kathryn Ryan.