Horning Sailing Club's Open Regatta Week 2024
by Holly Hancock 4 Aug 22:44 PDT
29 July - 2 August 2024
Horning Sailing Club enjoyed a fantastic week both on and off the water for their 2024 Regatta Week, in some of the best weather conditions for many years, and in stark contrast to the windy conditions of 2023's Regatta.
Although the winds were perhaps a little on the light side, the sun shone and there was not a drop of rain, meaning that every series could go ahead as planned. After a busy Regatta Weekend on Hoveton Little Broad, racing returned to the River Bure in Horning for Regatta Week, the Club also opening its doors to the local community to come and find out more.
Monday, the start of the Regatta, began in light wind with a breeze that picked up during the day, particularly when the pleasant sea breeze kicked in. The early morning races saw the river become a sea of colour with almost forty dinghies battling it out across four fleets - ranging from those in their very first season of sailing to the seasoned racer. As the day progressed, more and more sailors took to the water in their respective fleets, all of which enjoyed particularly close racing on different days. One of the largest fleets were the Yeoman, seeing ten participate during the week. It proved to be a good day for Steve Middleditch helming Scorpio, crewed by Maria Spreadbury, who despite sailing the wrong course in the first race and ending up 5th, still managed to claw their way back to a race win. Consistently strong results across the week meant that the overall Yeoman Trophy for the week came down to the final day; this was eventually won by one point by Toby Fields and Daniel Blackwell sailing Tanskey, counting four first places as opposed to Scorpio's three. Special trophies sailed for on Monday included the Shields White Admiral Trophy for the morning's Yare & Bure race, won by James Street sailing Moon Moth; the evening race for the Officers' Trophy, for previous and current Officers of the Club, won by Kim West - Commodore in 2008, sailing Yare & Bure Nevada Blue; and the First Trophy, for a member who has not won a race before, won by Tom Roberts in Reedling Siskin.
In-between races there were plenty of activities to keep participants engaged. The Club was fundraising for East Anglian Air Ambulance's "Together We Splash" event, running paddling races twice a day, fiercely contended for in anything from paddleboards (usually with several crew!) to kayaks, canoes and sailing dinghies, raising over £100 in the process. There was also a "duckoration" competition, and annual duck race, all of which raised funds for the Club. Off the water, the Club's Entertainment Committee put together a well attended programme of social events which took place every evening after sailing, with everything from a motor boat handling competition - the Berry Shield - which was hotly contested by both juniors to adults, to a disco, quiz night, casino night and much more.
Special mention must go to the Club's junior sailors, who once again excelled themselves with their attitude both on and off the water. Supporting each other throughout the week, their camaraderie was clear to see, many camping out and making memories - including watching a meteor shower overhead one night!
Tuesday saw the line kindly run by Snowflake Sailing Club, and started with very light winds, although these picked up as the day progressed. Once more, the morning races saw an incredible number of dinghies on the water - stretching across the breadth of the river! Special trophies awarded by SFSFC included the Lysandra Cup for Yare & Bures, won by Nick Gardner in Golden Copper, the Avis Tankards for Cruisers, won by Paul Howes and crew in Melinda, and the evening series for the Miras Tankards - a scratch race for faster craft where the first boat over the water wins. Robert Hancock sailing his Reedling Siskin had successfully fought his way to lead the fleet when he took the wrong course, allowing the remainder of the fleet to overtake - the race eventually being won by Jack Pritchard in his Laser. The evening's Allcomers Junior trophy for helms under 18 was popular, and saw a large variety of craft take to the water, the Delves Challenge Cup being won by Hamish Harmer in his Splash, defending his title from 2023.
On Wednesday, Norfolk Broads Yacht Club were kindly assisting on the line and, with the Club having designated the day as its charity day, the East Anglian Air Ambulance held a stall on the Island. There were again a great number of boats on the water enjoying the racing, with the winds possibly the best during the week. Special trophies during the day including the morning Yare & Bure race for the Bosun Trophy, awarded to the first HSC registered boat home, this going to Ron Jackson helming Holly Blue, and the Broadacres Cup for the leading River Cruiser with an average crew age of 65 or older, going to Peter Goshawk and crew in Grayling for the afternoon cruiser race. The evening races were for the Junior Trophy in Allcomers juniors, making this another win for Hamish Harmer in his Splash, and the Braithwaite Cup for Services and Ex-Services, going to Ron Jackson in Holly Blue.
Thursday traditionally sees the Horning Town Open Regatta take place, an historic event that sees sailors compete for silver-plated spoons, and the lunchtime Regatta President's Reception take place on the Island. It also falls to the Regatta Presidents to award the Horning Challenge Cup for outstanding performance on Horning Town Open Regatta Day, with this year's Regatta Presidents, Mandi & Peter Goshawk, awarding this to Caroline Johnson sailing her Yeoman Cornelian. It was great to see several visiting sailors taking part in the day, including several Norfolk dinghies and Yare & Bures - despite the light winds which meant some sailors were going backwards at times! Almost every race had a trophy, so racing was even more competitive than usual!
During the morning series, the Onyx Trophy for Reedlings went to Robert Hancock and Tom Roberts sailing Siskin, whilst the Allcomers B fleet saw a huge turnout and a general recall before getting away, the Ranworth Salver eventually going to Chris Bolton sailing his Solo. The Rebel Lion Trophy for Rebels went to Peter & Joe Brown in Rebel Rothay, whilst the Landamore Open Regatta Trophy for Yeomans was awarded to Steve Middleditch in Scorpio. The Yare & Bure Bath White Trophy went to Marty Thompson and Leah Tansley in Dingy Skipper, and the Cockshoot Salver for Allcomers C to Oli Besant. The lunchtime Waterman's Race for the Yachtbuilders Challenge Cup, for those regularly employed in the boating industry, was well contended and won by Jack Barnham and Will Knight in Yare & Bure Peacock. The lunchtime Cruiser race for the Crystal Salver required a split start for the entrants, ultimately won by Richard Wagstaff and Pam Shallcross in Grayling. The Norfolk Trophy was won by Sam and Olivia Archer in Wee Simby, whilst the Second Horning Challenge Cup, which is awarded to the boat on the fastest elapsed time across the whole of the second series, was awarded to Chris Bolton in his Solo.
The evening race for the Water Babies Challenge Cup, for helms under 18 and crew under 21 in keelboats, was as popular as ever, this year competed for in Yeomans and Yare & Bures. In a very close race, it was a nailbiting finish for Jasmine Herring & James Pettit in Yeoman Anoah who crossed the line first with James Street and Charlotte Means hot on their tail in Yare & Bure Moon Moth. On handicap, James Street won by the narrowest of margins, with Jasmine second, and Hamish Harmer third in a Yeoman, crewed by Jasper Richardson.
Friday was another pleasant day's racing, with numbers holding up well despite the tiredness! In the morning Rebel race, three quarters of the fleet were over the line at the start, but it proved to be another competitive race. A number of further trophies were awarded for particular races, including the Meadow Brown Trophy for Yares & Bures going to Jeremy Tusting sailing Brimstone, and the Phiz Trophy for mixed Gaffs, to be awarded to a sailor who has not won a trophy before the race, going to Andy Barnham in Rebel H. The Chris Shallcross Memorial Trophy was awarded to Peter Goshawk sailing Grayling. It was encouraging to see a large turnout for both the evening races - the Mary Cup for Novices in fixed keels and the Bullard Cup for dinghies with helm under 18, crew under 21. In the race for the Mary Cup, several participants were helming for the very first time - eventually it was won by Calum Dornan sailing Yeoman Nimrod. The Bullard Cup was won by Hamish Harmer in his Splash, marking the end of a successful week for his sailing. The wind dropped as these last races took place, meaning it was a long (and patient) wait for the Topper sailors still on the water to finish, the last boat home signifying the end of a great Horning Week - this honour of crossing the line to the finishing gun went to the Vice Commodore's son Edward Street. Following the end of racing, and given the warm weather, there was a huge turnout for the evening's water frolics - which were thoroughly enjoyed by both participants and spectators alike - a fitting end to a fantastic week!