Loch Long Week 2021 at Aldeburgh Yacht Club

Windy conditions during Loch Long Week 2021 © Robert Mulcahy

Winners of Loch Long Week 2021 Bruce and Claire Johnson © Robert Mulcahy

The National Championship of the 21ft Loch Long One Design Class was to be made up of 5 days of competitive racing on the River Alde in Suffolk. Four boats made the journey down from the Clyde in Scotland to join the majority of the fleet already residing in Aldeburgh for Loch Long Week 2021.

Mixed weather was forecast from days with little or no wind to at least one day with testing gusts around 30 knots. With Aldeburgh being on the coast, sailors hoped the lighter days would fill in with sea breezes to fill spinnakers and to be able to fight against the tides. 25 boats entered the Championship with 10 races scheduled. The first two days saw lighter, shifty winds make for a challenging start to the event. Clear wind and correct reading of the river tides (going on the mud is very slow!) would allow some to creep away and get some early high positions on the results board.

The third day of racing was testing in another way, with strong winds, yet unperturbed the majority of boats took to the start line. Wind against tide allowed crews the full sailing experience as waves crashed over boats whilst rigging was put through its paces. The final two days of racing saw the high winds pass and fair sea breezes allowed a fine ending to the event.

It was Tom Mehew in Akela 29 who established an early dominance on the water, even when sailing without a spinnaker, proving what fine boat control both Tom and Sarah have. With cups on offer for all individual races, it was delightful to see such a mix of winners across the fleet, including Jo Evans and Kirstie Robertson in Tantrum 139, Alan and Robbie DeVenny in Electra 109, Murray Caldwell and Joey Lyon in Dolphin 70, Robert Mulcahy and Julia Ransome in Fiona 141 and Ari Liddell and Adam Schwarz in Zimmer 25.

Close racing at Loch Long Week 2021 - photo © Robert Mulcahy

The overall honours went to Bruce and Clare Johnson in Hussar 110 after a fantastic week of consistent sailing, particularly upwind! Congratulations to all competitors with safe and fair racing throughout the competition and we look forward to next year’s Championship due to take place in Cove.

Overall Results: