The London Regatta at Greenwich Yacht Club
by Clive Reffell 10 Sep 2010 18:00 BST
5 September 2010
London’s biggest dinghy racing event of the year © Malcolm Hazelton
On Sunday 5 September 48 boats from sailing clubs across the capital converged on Greenwich Yacht Club to take part in London’s biggest dinghy racing event of the year, The London Regatta.
This was the Regatta’s fifth year at Greenwich, taking advantage of the annual test closure of the Thames Barrier which creates non-tidal conditions on the up-river side towards London. This allows competitors to race in open water of the River Thames without needing special qualifications or tidal water experience.
Three courses were laid out between the Thames Barrier and the O2 Arena and competitors were grouped according to class of boat. The first of a series of races on each course began at 10 a.m. and continued through to around 1.30 when the Thames Barrier was raised.
Wind conditions were a consistent Force 3, gusting to Force 4, which was enough to cause a few capsizes among the lighter boats. The largest group of boats was the 23 entries in the Bosun class, which was won by Greenwich Yacht Club’s Alan Soper.
Steve Wilson, GYC Dinghy Section Captain, said: “Once again this was a fantastic day of competitve and enjoyable sailing. We are already liaising with the Port of London Authority to have the Thames Barrier closed for the full day next year. This should encourage more entries and make it an even bigger event.”
The London Regatta is a partnership between the RYA, RYA Sailability, Greenwich Yacht Club and the London Nautical School.
Overall winners by boat class
Bosun - Alan Soper - Greenwich Yacht Club
Feva - Charlie Stannard - Docklands Sailing & Watersports Centre
Gos - Andy Hussey - Tideway
Pico - Andrew Ktenas - Shadwell Sailing Club
Topper - Callum Dixon - Docklands Sailing & Watersports Centre
Vision - Jason King - Ahoy Centre