After two weeks of no sailing due to a frozen broad since the New Year’s Day Regatta, a break in the weather last week was just what the sailors needed.
Nineteen dinghies returned to Rollesby last Sunday (18th of January). Sailors launched into light easterly winds and lingering mist for a committee‑boat start, with several misjudging the long run to the line!
Race 1 delivered tight competition across both fleets. In the multi‑sail fleet, Tony Fulford in his Comet Trio led throughout to take the win on the water and on corrected time. Howard Asterly‑Jones (RSVareo) followed closely in second, while David Houghton (Wayfarer) secured third. The single‑sail fleet saw Chris Barker (Laser/ILCA 7) establish an early lead, though Solo sailors Ian Ayres and John Saddington had a close battle with the mid-fleet. Corrected times revealed just a 20‑second gap between Barker and Ayres, with Saddington third. Junior sailor Dalton impressed in his Topper, finishing sixth on handicap.
By Race 2 the breeze had strengthened, drawing even more boats to the line. The multi‑sail results mirrored Race 1 exactly: Fulford first, Asterly‑Jones second, and Houghton third. In the single‑sail fleet, Roger Wilson (Streaker) took advantage of the fresher wind to claim the win, while Saddington and Ayres resumed their close rivalry. This time Saddington edged ahead into second with Ayres taking third.
A moderate Easterly breeze kicked off racing at Rollesby this Sunday (25th of January) and eighteen dinghies took to the water in shifty, testing conditions. Today there was particularly close competition, with mere seconds separating the top three finishers.
For Race 1, five Wayfarers engaged in tight class racing throughout. David Houghton led the Wayfarers and managed to stay just ahead of Mike McNamara, while Chris Foster secured third. In the single‑sail fleet, the faster boats quickly separated from the main pack. Darren Pike (Phantom) established an early lead and maintained it on corrected time. Roger Wilson (Streaker) claimed second with Ellie Edwards (Splash) third.
Race 2 brought another close contest among the five Wayfarers. McNamara and Houghton fought a prolonged duel at the front until Houghton capsized around half-way through. McNamara capitalised, extending his lead to take a comfortable win. Houghton recovered swiftly to finish third on the water, later moving up to second place on corrected time, with Tony Fulford (Comet Trio) taking third. The single‑sail fleet saw fewer position changes, again with the faster boats getting clear. Phil Highfield (RSAero 7) broke away early but slipped to third on handicap. Wilson (Streaker) secured the win by a narrow two‑second margin over Edwards (Splash).
That concludes the Winter Series for 2025-26 and results will be finalised here in due course – https://www.rbsc.org.uk/race-results/2025-26-results/. Don’t forget that we have the Frostbite Open Regatta kicking off the start of the new series next week. Visitors always welcome so tell your friends to come along and enjoy some competitive racing!
Report By – Ellie Edwards