Lapwing Championship at Aldeburgh Yacht Club

Lapwing Championship start on Sunday © Fiona Lewington

Lapwing Class Drinks © Lucy Vinten Mattich

The 2018 Lapwing Championships were held on 4-5 August at Aldeburgh Yacht Club, racing for the Margaret Tudor Bowl. Sailing conditions varied over the weekend, with strong winds and a big chop developing on Home Reach and Blackstakes Reach on Saturday, and lighter winds and sunshine on Sunday.

A strong northerly was blowing on the Saturday, which strengthened to force 6 by early afternoon. Despite this, a long and extremely challenging course was set for Race 1, racing with a following wind to Blackstakes, back up to Lower then to Blackstakes again. Tufted 37, sailed by juniors Arthur Ritchie and George Hipwell, had an excellent start on the west bank, and Skua 47, Whaup 51, Shoveler 52 also stayed to the west. The rest of the fleet, including Quail 75, Phoenix 67, Wings 69 and Sea Swift 10 stuck to the east bank. Skua rounded Blackstakes first, and was the leader thereafter, holding off a rapidly gaining Shoveller at the finish.

The wind continued to strengthen, and of the fifteen boats entered, only six made it to the finish line. Many were swamped and needed a tow back, and one crew member got hypothermia. The rescue boats were kept very busy, many thanks to them. Far fewer boats started Race 2, which was another long course to Brick Dock. Skua, Whaup and Swallow 21 all made good starts, with Skua ahead by Brick Dock, a lead maintained to the finish. Cormorant 59 made a late surge to come third, with Whaup second.

The weather on Sunday was altogether more pleasant for racing Lapwings and the courses set were more suitable. In Race 3 Whaup had a commanding lead in the first part of the race, with a gaggle of boats vying for second place. On the reach down to Stanny Skua caught up with Whaup and at the Stanny buoy just managed to get the inside line. Skua was the winner ahead of Shoveler and Whaup. There was also racing right down the fleet, with a very tight finish at the back between Sea Swift, Wings and Tufted. Race 4 was won by Shoveler, closely followed by Phoenix, which was demonstrating great light wind sailing.

Many congratulations go to the victor, Duncan Matthew in Skua 47, crewed by his son Scott. The prize giving was held immediately after the last race, the Commodore of the Aldeburgh Yacht Club, Patrick Hill, presenting the Margaret Tudor Rose Bowl to Duncan and Scott. Richard Keane came second in Shoveller, Steve Liddell was third in Whaup, Lucy Vinten Mattich and Kit Mattich were fourth in Sea Swift, Arthur Ritchie and George Hipwell were fifth in Tufted.

The Annual Lapwing class drinks and dinner was held on Saturday night at the house of one of the two class captains, and all who attended had a very enjoyable evening.

The Aldeburgh Lapwing is the Aldeburgh Yacht Club's own one design dinghy and is currently enjoying a resurgence of interest in both racing and family sailing.

Overall Results: