Brighton Marina Yacht Club Regatta 2016
by Jo Roberts, Hyde Sails 29 Apr 2016 16:13 BST
23-24 April 2016
Neilson Redeye at the Brighton Marina Yacht Club Regatta © Alex Irwin /
www.sportography.tv
A fleet of 17 yachts competed in BMYC's regatta that was held over the weekend of 23rd/24th April. A 'shifty' cold northerly/offshore breeze varied in strength from sub 5kts to 25kts plus gave the competitors plenty to think about. A windward/leeward course was set for the first two races each day with the third of the days races being 'around the cans' and finishing at the marina entrance.
Dominating the podium places over the weekend were three JBoats, 'Upstart' (J92s), 'Jeneral Lee' (J97) and 'Neilson Redeye' (J105). The pre-regatta favourite and sailed superbly 'Upstart' (Robin Stevenson and crew) took the regatta with an almost a full house of first places. Crewed predominantly by a combination of grizzly old salts, ex Neilson staff (or a combination of the two) plus 'club class' (*1) people and using a wardrobe of three year old Hyde Sails, 'Neilson Redeye' raced hard and managed to secure second place overall. The mainsail and headsails aboard Neilson Redeye, constructed of GPL carbon, in a tri-radial panel design offered plenty of boat speed in the various wind speeds. Three asymmetric kites were used during the regatta. A dedicated running kite was used on the windward/leeward courses allowing the yacht to be sailed deep and fast.
The first day's 'round the cans race' involved consecutive close reaching legs so the VMG/reaching kite was put to good use taking the yacht to the front of the fleet, overtaking many larger and (supposedly) faster yachts along the way. An 'AP' (all purpose) kite was used during the second 'round the cans' race due to the multiple variation in wind angles that were experienced.
For more information on the sails please contact Wooderz at Hyde Sails - or 07764 933 894
Also in attendance was Alex Irwin from 'Sportography.tv' with a number of cameras and also a 'drone'. To view his artwork visit – www.sportography.tv
Club class (*1)
Club Class is a BMYC initiated course run twice a year over six Saturdays to introduce and train people in the various skills needed aboard a race yacht. For further information please contact BMYC.