Buzz Nationals at BMW Torbay Week

Competitors during the Buzz nationals at Paignton © Candice Clark

Paignton Harbour, on the Devon South coast played host to the Buzz Nationals alongside the Torbay regatta week. A weekend of strong winds was forecast with 13 Buzzes competing from various regions. With a very busy, but well organised and marshalled green for all of the competing boats to park and set up on the sea front, with a short walk to the sailing club on the harbour.

Saturday started sunny with light winds and a big windward, leeward course in front of Quay west. Racing was close with the Ed and Sarah Styles (969) dominating the first race with Stuart Bailey and Zoe Noble(763) winning the second race and European Champs Jane Noble and Mark Wilson(1027) Winning the third race. With more than one boat getting caught on the windward buoy, places were gained and lost on the bear away on every lap. The welcomed Evening meal and refreshments were in the club house after a productive AGM.

Sunday brought sunny spells with light to moderate breeze but with stronger gusts. Starting with light winds, the “Soakers” came off on top With 969 picking up another first place with the middle of the fleet including Roger and Penny Eyre(987) battling with 1027 and Mike and Josh Preater(585). As the winds increased downwind legs were getting interesting with boats opting to sail angles like Candice Clark and Bryan Tovey (590) piping 969 and Jon Cass & Julia Blackman (1100) who were leading through most of the race to the finish on the final leg with a sneaky gybe for first position. The final race was very close with increased winds, Chris Dutton and Martin Wyman (1061) managed to avoid all of the loose rope on buoys and win the race with Andy Holmes and Crew (7) battling to the finish with 590 with the choice of whether to hold the kite up for the finish line deciding the race! (Unlucky Andy) Evening BBQ and raffle for first places, Great prizes and evening of dancing by the downs crew inspired by Ed and 2p slot machines on the pier with the dance mat finishing Penny off!

Monday, finally the breeze kicked in, strong winds and tough conditions, “Force 0-10” as explained by Sarah Styles. With lots of people getting wet and falling over in the especially gusting, lumpy wind. Positions were close especially in the second race where 1st, 2nd and 3rd place were all up for grabs for the top 5. The first race was dominated by Simon Cory and Nicola White(1089) who had a huge lead at the front with Paul Champion and Gemma Lindsey(885) having a flying start and looking good but eventually retiring after kite problems. Putting on a good show were Claire and Jason Hansell (435) handling the heavy winds very well. The final race was very exciting with most boats overpowered and many falling over downwind on gybes. This race was survival of the fittest with 763 coming in first and 969 second and a great race from Andy Holmes who capsized earlier to come in third.

Prize giving was in the marquee on the harbour, with sponsors BMW and Sailsport providing goodies for the well earned winners. A weekend of good competition and very close sailing, thanks to all the travelling buzzes and it will be good to see all the buzzes back together at the Inlands in Rutland and hopefully see some more buzz faces to join in with not only on the water racing but Ed’s dancing too! For more information see www.bu22.co.uk