Wayfarer Trophy is to be reinstated in Memory of Dennis Manning
First presented in 1995, we have decided to reinstate the RBSC Wayfarer Trophy in memory of our good friend Dennis Manning. The trophy is to be presented each year to the most successful Wayfarer competing over the Autumn, Winter and Frostbite series. Dennis had won the trophy on many occasions in the past and wishing to promote more class racing within the club it seemed appropriate that we reinstate the trophy.
We have extracted the Wayfarer results from Race 1 and 2 morning Multi-sail starts so far and published them separately here:- Wayfarer Trophy
The weather hasn’t been so kind this winter so the number of boats currently qualifying in the series is low, but with the potential of a further 12 races still to go until the end of the Frostbite Series there is still plenty of opportunity for more Wayfarers to try and qualify. We have always had a very strong Wayfarer fleet at Rollesby so it would be great to see as many boats take to the water for the remainder of the Frostbite series to try a qualify. Good luck!
24 Boats turned out for the first races of the Frostbite series on Sunday 9th Feb 2025. The day was cool and overcast. The forecast easterly wind however turned out to be more northerly with a moderate breeze blowing down the Broad.
The first race was four laps of a figure of eight course. Only four boats actually started in the multi sail fleet. Dave Houghton and John Symonds in their Wayfarer took an early lead and held on to win in front of Tony Fulford’s Comet with the other two boats not far behind. In the single sail fleet seventeen boats took part. There was close racing throughout the fleet. Mike Gower took the win in his Solution a few seconds in front of Roger Wilson’s Streaker. Dan Bull crossed the line with Wilson but was third on handicap . These first three boats followed by Chris Barker in a Laser were well ahead of the fleet.
At the break between races trophies were presented for previous series. A presentation was also made to Clive Wells on his retirement from the committee after serving fourteen years as Secretary and the past two years as Commodore
In the next race mark number 3 was included in the course to give a long run down the broad. In the multi sail fleet Dave and John flew their spinnaker with great affect to take a substantial lead and win in front of the Vareo of Howard Astley Jones.
The long four lap race was a bit of a work out for the single sail boats with the fleet spacing out and a few capsizes in the gusts. Ellie Edwards in the Splash won the race with Dan Bull 2nd, Roger Wilson 3rd and Kevin Edwards in his Solo 4th.
As in previous years there will be a 2 course dinner (menu below), plus tea or coffee, Cost will be £27 per adult (includes gratuity), £15 per child (12 and under) .
There will be prize giving for the last couple of series and regattas.
A quiz by David Goodwin for sailors and non-sailors alike.
The deadline for signing up is 2nd February. You can also sign up now and pay closer to the date, if you choose.
The evening races were enjoyed by members again this year. Thirty-Six different helms took part at various time during the series. A couple of evenings were not sailed because of a lack of wind but for most of the summer the wind stayed up giving some good sailing.
The main contenders for the trophy this year came down to David Taylor and Stuart Highfield. David had some good results toward the end of the series to win and will get his name on the cup for the second time. The regular Wednesday sailors were all quite close on points with Stuart second and Daniel Harvey third. The full results can be seen on the club website.
There were quite a few novice sailors coming for the evenings this year which was nice to see. The pursuit race with the personal handicap is an ideal way to try sailing a race.
Now that the sun has set on the 2024 series we look forward next summer. There will be a slight change to the rules in that each helm will have their personal handicap scored irrespective of which boat they sail. ( previously it varied with boats) New participants will start on scratch time for the class but new experienced racers will start on an agreed handicap.
Well done everyone for yesterday. At one point we counted 7 toppers capsized up on the broad at once. All our sailors gave it a go and we are super proud of them. 3 of our team managed to do enough races to get some good results-
Alcomers b – Emily came 6th overall out of 12 in her streaker.
Toppers – Hattie came 20th out of 35.
Alcomers c – Henrietta came 7th out of 19. (4th opi)
Star of the day was Hattie who kept on going to finish despite a lot of capsizes (must have been over 20) at her first sailing venue other than rollesby.
The social was held on a cloudy summer day. The rain held off for the afternoon races with a variable WSW wind.
THE ANNUAL PURSUIT RACE was keenly contested with 16 entries. A range of boats from three Toppers, four Splash and other classes up to the faster Phantom gave a wide range of start times.
The Toppers held for the first lap with Charlie Purkiss leading, but by lap 2 Ellie Edwards gained a substantial lead in her splash. Places changed throughout the race. As the wind increased towards the finishing time the faster boats pulled through. Dan Bull just took the lead from Ellie in the last minutes to win the “Pike Goblet”
Clive Girling in his laser generously capsized 30 seconds from the race end to allow Dan Harvey’s laser into third place and Auriel Gibson with Lindsey in the Wayfarer fourth.
RESULTS: 1 Laser Dan Bull, 2 Splash Ellie Edwards, 3 Laser Dan Harvey, 4 Wayfarer Auriel Gibson & Lindsey, 5 Laser Clive Girling, 6 D zero Tom Quayle, 7 Albacore Keith & Jane Minster, 8 Wayfarer Geof & Liz Phillips, 9 Topper Suzanne Tompson, 10 Topper Matt Pittam, 11 Wayfarer Ken & Julie Johnston, 12 Topper Charlie Purkiss 13, Phantom Clive Wells, 14 Splash Andy Adcock, 15 Joe Sagger, 16 Splash Rhiannon Alger (rtd)
At the break, prizes were given for the junior races, the Club Spring series and the Pursuit Race. Everyone enjoyed the wonderful cake baked by Angie.
THE WATSON CUP where a double handed boat is crewed by the helm only, was contested by three good sports. Phil Harlow had a good start in his Wayfarer and held the lead to win the Cup. Keith Minster followed in the Albacore and Commodore Wells took out an old Enterprise to finish third.
IN THE SINGLED HANDED BOATS RACE seven boats took part. Tom Quale in the D Zero lead all the way to the finish but on handicap was beaten into third place by Dan Bull second and Ellie Edwards who won and took the “Gray Cup”
RESULTS S.H. 1 Splash Ellie Edwards, 2 Laser Dan Bull, 3 D Zero Tom Quayle, 4 Laser Dan Harvey, 5 Harrier Phil Alison, 6 Splash Liz Phillips, 7 Topper Matt Pittam.
A special mention for Matt Pittam a junior, sailing a topper who took part in the morning junior races, the Pursuit race and stayed for the single hander race.
Our Summer Social will be here before you know it. The date: Saturday 13th July. The plan is the same as last year for the BBQ, there are a few tweaks on the sailing , which programme now includes a Junior & Novice Regatta.
The programme is as follows: 10.00 JUNIOR & NOVICE REGATTA 14.00 – 15.12 PURSUIT RACE FOR PIKE GOBLET 15.30 TEA AND CAKE 16.00 PRIZE GIVING FOR 1. JUNIOR RACES 2. PURSUIT RACE 3. CLUB SPRING SERIES 16.30 WATSON CUP RACE (doubled handed boats, sailed by the helm on their own) 16.35 GREY CUP RACE (single handers) 17.00 CASUAL SAILING 17.45 WATSON CUP & GREY CUP PRESENTATION 18.00 BBQ (BBQ to be lit at 17.00) SOCIALISING & CAMPING
There will be a charge for the BBQ, £6 Adults, £4 Children (12 and under). Also we are asking if every family unit could bring along a salad / side dish for sharing (please no meat products and if possible label for allergies and your name). Note: Tea and Cake is for all members regardless if you are staying for the BBQ.
Approximately a month prior to the event you will be able to sign up via WebCollect, where you can indicate if you are coming to the BBQ and how many, what Salad / Side dish you will bring and if you are planning to camp overnight (tent or campervan).
We will also be looking for help, tidying up the site and grounds prior to the event, putting up gazebos, buntings and BBQs on the day and tiding up afterwards on the night. More on this closer to the time. Meanwhile if any of you have a gazebo you can lend us please let me know.
Please contact me if you have any questions. All the best, Mike….. 07941 430 697
