Horning Sailing Club Open Dinghy Weekend
by Holly Hancock 27 Sep 2011 08:20 BST
24-25 September 2011
Horning Sailing Club welcomed several visitors from as far afield as Ely for their Open Dinghy Weekend, held over the 24th/25th September 2011. Saturday afternoon saw near perfect conditions, with racing taking place on the river. The junior turnout was very strong, many of the young people continuing sailing from the morning's junior regatta, which attracted 38 young sailors in a variety of craft. Thanks to the efforts of Colin Facey and his team, it was the first year in many where Horning had Enterprises competing in the event. With the aid of a grant from The Broads Authority Horning SC have purchased some Enterprises for adult and youth training, and over the weekend they were out in force, with instructors, coaches and club sailors taking younger members out in them.
Saturday's Enterprise races were closely contested, the first race won by Ali Bourke crewed by Kim West, and the second by Paul Clarke crewed by Paul Edwards. Brothers Ezra and Joel Bailey, aged 13 and 10 respectively put up strong competition in Apache. In the Allcomers B fleet a good battle ensued betweem the Lasers of James Galloway and Curtis Drew, although it was Jo Moore sailing her Splash who took line honours, on one occasion just two seconds ahead of James on corrected time. The Allcomers C Fleet was also fiercely contested, with Toppers, Teras and Optimists. Natalie Stiff took the first race from Laura Galloway, but the second race saw extremely close finishing. Natalie and Joe Brown crossed the line at exactly the same time to take joint line honours in their Toppers with William Penny following close behind, in his Topper.
For Sunday, the two main fleets, the Enterprises and Allcomers C, were joined by visitors from Ely SC in Cambridgeshire and Beccles ASC. Experience showed in the Enterprises, with the three visiting boats leading the way around the course, this time on Hoveton Little Broad. There was strong competition at both ends of the fleet, with Kevin Bilham, Kevin Edwards and Richard Salisbury battling for the top three positions, with mixed results, although it was eventually Kevin Bilham crewed by Scott Bilham with two wins who took home the Flirtatious Cup. Further back in the fleet a close tussle also took place between Joanne Moore and James Galloway, each helming a Club Enterprise, who were barely more than a few foot apart throughout the racing. It was Jo who eventually crossed the line first in both races. As the winds increased during the day, the racing became more exciting, with boats planing across the broad and several capsizes. The Allcomers C racing was again close, visiting Topper sailor Ellie Edwards from Beccles taking two wins by just seconds over Horning's Natalie Stiff, whilst Paul Edwards from Horning won the first race of the day.
The Club Trophies awarded during the weekend were: the Cadet Cup to Natalie Stiff, Paul Clarke the Flying Enterprise Challenge Tankard for helm over 16, and Ezra Bailey the Cadet Trophy for Enterprise helm under 16. The Onyx Barometer was won by Joanne Moore sailing her Splash.
Overall Results:
Allcomers C Overall
1 Topper - Ellie Edwards (Beccles ASC)
2 Topper - Natalie Stiff (HSC – received Club Trophy – Cadet Cup)
3 Topper - Paul Edwards (HSC)
Enterprises overall – Flirtatious Cup Helm & Crew
1 Perfect Ten - Kevin Bilham/Scott Bilham (Ely SC)
2 Minnie - Kevin Edwards/Pippa Edwards (BASC)
3 Agapanthus - Richard Salisbury/John Salisbury (BASC)
Allcomers B overall – Onyx Barometer
1 Buzz - Joanne Moore (HSC)
2 Mistral - Abi Tassie/Mark Tassie (HSC)
3 Laser - James Galloway (HSC)
Enterprise Over 16 helm – Flying Enterprise Challenge Tankard
Paul Clarke & Paul Edwards
Enterprise Under 16 helm – Cadet Trophy
Ezra Bailey & Joel Bailey