Ovington 40th Anniversary Celebration Regatta

Ovington 40th anniversary celebration regatta © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Sailors started arriving at Derwent Reservoir SC from Friday lunchtime to enjoy the warm weather, rig boats, BBQ and to hear Seven Sins playing in the marquee until late into the evening.

Saturday dawned with a light to medium breeze, but enough for the asymmetric fleet to get planning. This fleet was dominated by the Musto Skiff of Alistair Conn from the host club, followed by an assortment of boats including a 49er, a number of VX Ones and Musto Skiffs. The 29ers found the lighter breezes not as much to their liking and let the 'seniors' take the pole positions.

Ovington 40th anniversary celebration regatta - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

In the conventional fleet all classes seemed to have their time at the front but the Scorpion of Steve Walker and Jerry Hannabus came out on top. It was particularly pleasing to see a number of wooden Ovington Enterprises racing.

Ovington 40th anniversary celebration regatta - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Saturday night was a hog roast, giant inflatable games and music from the Future Echoes, who played to a busy marquee. Sunday was a lighter (and wetter) affair – race officer Howard Steavenson set a course for the pursuit race using the entire reservoir – 1 lap took the full 90 minutes. An Enterprise sailed by Neal Piper and Ali Mackay took an early lead which they never relinquished despite the Scorpion making good ground early on. At the end the flying VX One sailed by Anne & Julia Noble came close and would have taken the lead if they had another leg!

Worthy of a mention and in keeping with the spirit of the regatta, Alex Knight – fresh from winning the Musto Skiff Nationals, drove the 400 miles from Weymouth with Lorna Graham to sail in a borrowed Ovington Enterprise!

See you all in 10 years for the 50th!

Overall Results: