Author: Ellie Edwards

The start of the new series has begun! Some competitors were able to secure their overall regatta victories with just two morning races needed.

Grey skies and fickle breeze met the Rollesby sailors for their Frostbite Open Regatta this Sunday the 1st of February, creating a challenging but engaging day of racing for the 21 dinghies. A light and shifting easterly breeze made boat speed and tactical awareness crucial, with both fleets enjoying some close racing throughout the courses.

In Race 1, the multi‑sail fleet set off in light airs, with six Wayfarers forming the majority of the fleet. David Houghton (Wayfarer) managed to break clear to secure the opening win, followed by Tony Fulford (Comet Trio) in second and Ed Anderson (Wayfarer) third. The single‑sail fleet, with their variety of classes, saw the faster boats initially pull ahead. However, they were unable to gain enough distance to protect their leads on corrected time. This allowed Ian Ayres (Solo), who stayed consistently close to the front, to take the victory. Ellie Edwards (Splash) finished second, while Jack Ibbotson (Finn), first across the line, placed third on handicap.

A revised course greeted competitors for Race 2. The multi‑sail fleet again produced tight racing, with Houghton (Wayfarer) repeating his strong performance to claim a second win. Howard Asterly‑Jones (RSVareo) took second, and Mike McNamara (Wayfarer) finished third. With two race wins, Houghton secured the overall multi‑sail title. In the single‑sail fleet, Ayres (Solo) and Ibbotson (Finn) broke away early, creating a large gap over the rest of the fleet which was led by Kevin Edwards (Solo). Ayres delivered a commanding performance to win the race and seal the overall single‑sail victory. Edwards finished second, with Ibbotson again third on corrected time.

With both overall fleet winners decided, only sailors still competing for second and third places returned to the water after lunch. Strengthening and shifting winds required another course change. In the multi‑sail fleet, Fulford (Comet Trio) and Chris Foster (Wayfarer) battled closely before Fulford pulled ahead to win. In the single‑sail fleet, Kevin Edwards (Solo) established an early lead and extended it throughout to take the win. Ellie Edwards (Splash) placed second, with Kevin Postlethwaite (Solo) third.

Overall Results – Multi-Sail Fleet:

1. Wayfarer – David Houghton & John Simmonds (2pts)
2. Comet Trio – Tony Fulford (3pts)
3. Wayfarer – Chris Foster & Chris Codling (6pts)

Helm Name	Boat Class	R1	R2	R3	Points
Houghton	Wayfarer	1	1	DNS	2
Fulford	Comet Trio	2	5	1	3
Foster	Wayfarer	5	4	2	6
McNamara	Wayfarer	4	3	DNS	7
Asterly-Jones	RS Vareo	8	2	DNS	10
Anderson	Wayfarer	3	7	DNS	10
Thomas	Wayfarer	6	6	DNS	12
Sparrow	Wayfarer	7	8	DNS	15

Overall Results – Single-Sail Fleet:

1. Solo – Ian Ayres (2pts)
2. Solo – Kevin Edwards (3pts)
3. Splash – Ellie Edwards (4pts)

Helm Name	Boat Class	R1	R2	R3	Points
Ayres	Solo	1	1	DNS	2
K. Edwards	Solo	4	2	1	3
E. Edwards	Splash	2	8	2	4
Ibbotson	Finn	3	3	DNS	6
Postlethwaite	Solo	7	5	3	8
Bull	Laser	8	4	DNS	12
Leigh	OK	6	7	DNS	13
Alison	Harrier	10	9	4	13
Watson	Zenith	9	6	DNS	15
Steele	Solution	12	11	5	16
Foley	Solution	11	10	DNS	21
Highfield	RSAero 7	5	DNS	DNS	DNQ
Harlow	Phantom	DNS	12	DNS	DNQ

Bonus Content! You may have seen or heard about the current ‘trend’ online where people are revisiting 2016. They have been looking back and finding their memories of what things were like 10 years ago. At Rollesby we have our amazing photo gallery on Flickr that makes this possible!

Feb 7th 2016 – https://www.flickr.com/photos/rollesbybroadsc/albums/72157664728525661/with/24777527639

Jan 31st 2016 – https://www.flickr.com/photos/rollesbybroadsc/albums/72157664464856996/with/24847639211

Both weeks 10 years ago look a lot windier than what we had last Sunday for the Regatta! Hopefully you can spot a few familiar faces in the albums linked above.

Report By – Ellie Edwards

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