Yare & Bure One Design Dolle Cup and Centenary Chalice at Norfolk Broads Yacht Club

Leaders during the first leg of race 1 at the Yare and Bure One Design Dolle Cup and Centenary Chalice © Bill & Diana Webber

Ten years after the acclaimed Centenary Open Meeting at N.B.Y.C. the "White Boat" (Y&BOD) fleet held another celebration event this year.

A strong fleet of 37 boats came to the start of the first race on Saturday morning in a good force two to three breeze which unfortunately was blowing from the south east, somewhat across the length of Wroxham Broad. The "White Boat" fleet have been known to push over the start line early so Race Officer Paul Barker flew the 20% penalty flag.

Consequently, the fleet got away at the first attempt with the boats starting towards leeward end of the line getting more breeze and moving ahead. Pat Simpson and Gilly Foulds in The Miller led early on to lose out by the first mark to James Dugdale and Kath Fiddy in Brenda followed by Chris Bunn and Niki Tansley in Fox. Fox took the lead on the second beat to hold on to the finish, with Brenda second and Paul Carrington crewed by Jan and Elise in White Ermine third.

In race two, with a strengthening wind, White Ermine led throughout with Brenda moving up to finish second from Duke of Burgundy third. Unfortunately, Duke of Burgundy along with four other boats including Fox suffered the 20% penalty for being over the line in the final minute before the start. At the end of the day, White Ermine and Brenda were tied on four points.

On Saturday evening, 87 sailors and guests enjoyed a Centenary Dinner when the raffle was held for prizes donated by three generous sponsors, Jeckells Sails, Alan Boswell Insurance Brokers and cover makers Bailey and Stone. John Cox drew the first prize of a jib presented by Chris Jeckells. Sally Self won a spar cover and Alan Boswell Insurance gave a donation to sponsor the event.

Early in race three, Brenda led the way, followed by Duke of Burgundy. These two boats had swapped places by the end of the first lap with Fox down in tenth place. Fox eventually managed to move up to finish third on the water, to be promoted when the 20% penalty was applied to Brenda.

In the fourth race, boats towards the leeward end of the line were again favoured by a stronger breeze that had increased just before the starting signal. Duke of Burgundy sailed the starboard side of the first leg in noticeably more wind away from the bank to lead at the first mark followed by James Clabburn and Emily Moore in Hummingbird, then Stu Rix crewed by Rosie in Cinnamon Twist third with Fox fourth. As the race progressed, Cinnamon Twist and Fox fought for the lead until Cinnamon Twist failed to notice that the race had been shortened and missed out the rounding of the "F" mark giving the race to Fox.

Chris Bunn and Nicki Tansley celebrate their win in the Yare and Bure One Design Dolle Cup and Centenary Chalice - photo © Bill & Diana Webber

Prize Winners: