A total Eclipse of the EAORA fleet – Eclipse wins MS Amlin Offshore Regatta

Des Cowan wins the 2018 East Anglian Offshore Regatta © Paul Wood

Congratulations to Des Cowan who has just won the 2018 East Anglian Offshore Regatta (sponsored by MS Amlin). Des has owned his Contessa 33 called Eclipse for over 30 years. The regatta comprised of three offshore races over a period of four days. The first race was a RORC qualifier, the West Mersea Yacht Club's East Coast Race from Harwich to Ostend incorporating the Medway Yacht Club's Graham Wallis Trophy.

It was a sleigh ride for all with 16 boats competing with ratings from 0.883 Alchemy an Impala to a French owned class 40 called ManOrga rating at 1.262. The wind was a steady 20 knots, gusting 25 to 28 knots at times from a northerly direction which caused carnage amongst the fleet with retirements, torn sails, ripped spinnakers, and general gear failure.

Some boats having raced from Harwich to Ostend on several occasions before enjoyed beating their quickest times ever, it certainly was an awesome crossing to Ostend with strong winds and a clear blue sky.

Friday it was a lay day for all, with a committee boat party for over 70 competitors enjoying free Pimm's and gallons of Mount Gay being served in pint glasses!

On Saturday it was a race back to Ramsgate for The Medway Yacht Club's Cannon Ball Trophy. The strong winds two days earlier had died off and after six hours some boats had only covered a few miles, it was decided by the race committee who were out at sea following the yachts to motor ahead and shorten the course at the Buiten Ratel buoy. It was still another six hours for some yachts to motor to Ramsgate, everyone managed to arrive in time for a lovely dinner and entertainment by the Royal Temple Yacht Club.

On Sunday it was the final race, a course set across the Thames Estuary dodging all the wind farms for the Haven Ports Yacht Club's Walker Challenge Cup. The race started from The Royal Temple Yacht Club's Race Hut. Slightly more wind on Sunday that produced some excellent sailing conditions with a fair tide at times.

The prize giving for the whole event was held just after 1800 hours on the lightship at Haven Ports Yacht Club.

The general feeling amongst the fleet was noticeable positive from yachts wishing to continue and support EAORA. Next year is our 70th year anniversary, plans are already being discussed about next year's regatta, with a race to Ostend and then onto Breskens followed by a few days racing in the none tidal waters of Holland. These events proved very popular during the 1980's, 1990's and 2000's. See you there!

Results:

RORC / East Coast race Overall: Xray
1st boat home: ManOrga
Two handed Division: ManOrga
Class 1: ManOrga
Class 2: Brave
Class 3: Flying Fish
Class 4: Xray

Graham Wallis Trophy
Overall: Xray
Class 1: Brave
Class 2: Spirit
Class 3: Xray

Cannon Ball Trophy
Overall: Eclipse
Class 1: Brave
Class 2: Spirit
Class 3: Eclipse

Walker Challenge Cup
Overall: Alchemy
Class 1: Brave
Class 2: Spirit
Class 3: Alchemy

Overall Regatta
Overall: Eclipse
Class 1: Brave
Class 2: Spirit
Class 3: Eclipse

Red Dragon Team Trophy - Haven Ports YC

A full list of the results can be found at www.eaora.org.uk