Annual Regatta at York Railway Institute Sailing Club
by Hugh Brazier 7 Sep 2009 10:24 BST
6 September 2009
Racing in the annual joint regatta of York Railway Institute Sailing Club and Yorkshire Ouse Sailing Club © Martin Ward
The annual joint regatta of York Railway Institute Sailing Club and Yorkshire Ouse Sailing Club took place on Sunday 6 September. After the cancellation of last year’s regatta due to floods, it was a relief to be able to hold a full programme of racing in near-perfect conditions.
In a relatively steady Force 3, a very mixed fleet enjoyed three pursuit races, based on a combination of PY and personal handicap. The handicappers did a sterling job, so much so that in one race they had great difficulty sorting out the finishing positions of almost a dozen boats neck-and-neck across the river.
Racing on the river, with sometimes strong currents, shifty winds, overhanging trees and passing motorboats (not all of whom seem to know the rules of the road) presents a set of unusual challenges – but the two clubs on the River Ouse, near neighbours and good friends for several decades, have mastered the art. Many of the participants at this year’s regatta were novice sailors – some even getting their very first taste of racing. Once they have learnt to sail on the river, they can sail anywhere!
The winners – and recipients of the new YOSC perpetual trophy – were James Jeffrey and Neville Meek in a Wanderer, followed closely by Ian Graham and Dorothea Debus in a GP14.