Hornsea Mere Autumn Regatta at Hornsea Sailing Club

Hornsea Mere Autumn Regatta for the Malcolm Sharpe Memorial Trophy © Dave Berger

Hornsea Mere Autumn Regatta for the Malcolm Sharpe Memorial Trophy © Dave Berger

This year's regatta, held in honour of a wonderful sailor and teacher, Malcolm Sharpe, a member of Hornsea Sailing Club for around 40 years who sadly died in 2008, was contested by 20 entrants.

Streakers, with 13 boats, were the predominant class, followed (in number) by 3 Fireflies, who were also contesting their own Open Meeting, two Miracles, two Lasers and an appropriately lone Solo. Last year's winner, Commodore Dave Berger, was unable to race in his Albacore due to unavailability of his regular crew, leaving the field open for a new winner.

Saturday saw no wind whatsoever at start time, so PRO Stephen Sharp wisely postponed until the afternoon, when a fickle breeze finally arrived. First race was dominated by Brian Kitching, a previous Hornsea member from the 1970s, now sailing a Solo, who had travelled up from Gloucester. Second place was convincingly claimed by Dave Smith from nearby Welton Sailing Club. Third place went to Dave Metcalfe from Hornsea.

The second race of the day was abandoned shortly after the start because of a massive wind shift which set in after a period of complete calm. The restarted second race order for the first three boats was identical to first race's results.

Sunday dawned with a bit more wind, and the promise of a battle between the light north-westerly and the expected easterly sea breeze later in the day. Dave Butler arrived with his never-before launched Miracle, as did Stuart Hood to sail his Firefly. Neither could win overall, having not sailed on the Saturday, but along with three other club members, they turned out for some close racing in fluky conditions.

Race order right through the fleet changed greatly in all the races, but Dave Smith added a couple of first places to Saturday's two seconds, wresting the trophy from Brian Kitching, who had looked difficult to beat in the overnight placings.

Stuart Hood showed everyone around the Mere in the third sailed race, but was unable to do so for all three races, achieving a creditable second and fourth respectively in the next two races.

Overall Results: