A light and shifty south-westerly breeze met 25 dinghies at Rollesby on Sunday 4th of October for our Autumn Regatta. Despite the event’s name, conditions felt decidedly summery, with warm temperatures and bright sunshine sparkling across the Broad. With the wind shifting down the length of the course, competitors faced a tactical test throughout the day. Two visiting boats from Snowflakes S.C. joined the racing, and four junior sailors enjoyed some competitive class action in their Toppers.
View of the whole race course and both fleets – Rhiannon Alger
By the start of Race 1, the breeze had finally filled in and the multi-sail fleet got proceedings underway. Visitors Will Pank and Thomas Wildman (Enterprise) were quickest off the line and never looked back, taking victory both on the water and on corrected-time. Fellow visitors Seth Futter and Ekin Aksehirli (Firefly) stayed firmly in contention throughout, securing second place on handicap. Bob Sparrow and Steve Gibbons led the Wayfarer challenge, holding off their class rivals to claim third overall.
In the single-sail fleet, the Solos provided some of the closest racing of the day, with several lead changes around the course. John Saddington eventually found an extra gear to break clear and take a comfortable victory. Kevin Postlethwaite headed the chasing pack to secure second, while Ellie Edwards (Splash) stayed close enough to take third place on handicap.
Start of Race 2 for the Single-Sail Fleet … Port was the favoured end!
As the breeze settled and a course change better suited the conditions, Howard Astley-Jones (RSVareo) capitalised with his spinnaker to take a convincing win. Chris Codling and Chris Foster (Wayfarer) also made the most of the downwind legs, edging clear of Pank and Wildman to claim second place.
In the single-sail fleet, John Saddington once again delivered a light-wind masterclass, taking a second consecutive victory and with it the overall trophy. Roger Wilson (Streaker) pushed him hard, finishing just six seconds behind on corrected-time, while Ian Ayres (Solo) completed the podium in third.
The Multi-Sail Fleet with some making use of their spinnakers on the long downwind leg.
After lunch and another course change, the breeze turned decidedly “Rollesby” for Race 3, with shifts, patches of pressure and sudden lulls ensuring that plenty remained at stake in the multi-sail fleet. The fickle conditions suited Pank and Wildman, who claimed their second victory of the day and secured them the fleet trophy. Astley-Jones (RS Vareo) was knocked into second place on handicap, while Futter and Aksehirli kept in touch for third.
Close racing in the Multi-Sail Fleet, showing our SFSC visitors in Enterprise 20320 & Firefly 88 – Paddy Wildman
Although he had already done enough to secure the overall title, John Saddington was not about to ease off for the final race in the single-sail fleet. Saddington and Ayres fought out a tightly contested Solo battle, with only seconds separating the pair for the entire race but Saddington just edged ahead to claim victory. Roger Wilson (Streaker) held off the rest of the fleet to take a comfortable third place, while young sailor Nicholas finished as top junior, having beaten his fellow Topper sailors in all three races. Wilson and Ayres finished tied on points for the remaining podium spots, but Ayres took second overall on count-back.
Will & Thomas collect their prizesNicholas enjoys being first overall junior
Our next event is in less than two weeks, the Autumn Open Regatta on Sunday the 4th of October 2026. Visiting sailors are welcome to join us for the racing at this Open Event, entry fee is £10 (pre-enter online or cash on arrival).
There are three races planned with catering available throughout the day. If more than six juniors or boats of the same class compete, you may get a separate start (subject to Race Officer’s discretion). For more information, please see the links below:
On Saturday 5th of September 2026, our team of 16 junior sailors travelled to Barton Broad for the Broadland Youth Regatta, hosted by Norfolk Punt Club. The forecast promised strong westerly winds and fierce gusts, with the small consolation that conditions were expected to ease during the afternoon. The previous Friday Practice had provided an excellent warm up for heavy-weather sailing, with capsizes and encounters with the mud featuring heavily in Races 1 and 2. Our juniors battled the testing conditions all day!
Team RBSC show off their Race Bibs ahead of Race 1 – Tamsin Highfield
The event began for Rollesby on Friday evening, when a convoy of boats set off for Barton Turf. The team secured a prime position beside the marquee and rigged as much as possible before darkness fell. Saturday brought an early start, with the breeze already building as the sailors arrived, eager and ready to race. There was a final flurry of rope adjustments, toll sticker fitting, snack eating and, most importantly, strategic duct-taping before the boats headed down to the water. The Green Boat was heavily laden with ‘the podium’, around 100 kg of mud weights and a considerable number of bags, so the tow to the pontoon was necessarily slow and careful.
For many members of the team, this was their first event away from ‘home’ and for some it was their first open event altogether. Roger arrived shortly afterwards to collect the parents in the hire cruiser and our support boats were dressed to the nines in bunting. Shortly after the boat decorating, what felt like some of the world’s heaviest mud weights were lowered overboard to keep our floating base secure. The juniors arrived at the pontoons then everyone settled in to await briefing and the start of the first race.
Green Boat approaches the pontoons – Ellie Edwards
Unfortunately, inaccuracies in the published results mean that it is not possible to confirm the final positions in each individual fleet. Even so Rollesby is extremely proud to have achieved the important milestone of ‘not coming last’. We are believed to have finished fifth overall in the team competition, from the eight entered NSBA affiliated clubs, which represents a significant improvement on last year’s result. None of our juniors were ranked last in their overall fleets which was the main goal shared amongst the team!
Every sailor received a Rollesby bib and burgee. With the R flag displayed proudly both on their backs and at the masthead, our sailors were easy to identify among the other 100 competitors. During the ‘Royal Visit’, James, Hattie and Henrietta met Princess Anne and spoke to her about sailing at Rollesby. Tamsin also explained what makes our club so distinctive and special.
RBSC Representatives talking to Princess Anne – Trish Barnes
Rollesby was represented in the fast-handicap fleet by Emily in a Laser Radial (ILCA 6), James in a Laser Standard (ILCA 7), and Harvey and Matthew in their Splashes. Sailing a Laser for only the second time, Emily handled the gusty conditions with impressive consistency. From the support boats, we watched her finish in the top third of the fleet in every race. Our venerable club boat held together admirably and proved to some much shinier Lasers that, with the right sailor at the helm, it still has plenty of speed. James brought his characteristically relaxed approach to the racing. His humour and laid-back manner shone throughout the day and, when he spoke with Princess Anne, she was soon laughing along with the group.
Emily might enjoy Laser sailing?James putting in some effort
After suffering gear failure in Race 1, Matthew returned with a repaired boat and came flying out of the blocks, beating several of the faster boats home in each subsequent race. Harvey followed close behind and, at his first major event in his new boat, consistently finished ahead of a rival yellow Splash.
Matthew makes a come-back!Harvey making a splash!
Ella and Bronwen represented Rollesby in the double-handed fleet in their RS Feva. As two of the youngest and smallest sailors on the team, but with the biggest boat, they faced a considerable challenge in the fresh breeze. Despite several capsizes and spending much of the day towards the back of the fleet, the pair completed every race. They showed tremendous determination, worked together throughout and kept smiling from start to finish.
Bronwen and Ella working hard in their Feva
The combined Topper fleet, which included both the 5.3 and 4.2 rigs, was the largest fleet of the day. Dalton, Hattie, Una, George, Harry, Solomon and Tilly represented Rollesby in the 5.3’s, while our smaller sailors, Monty and Stanley, raced with 4.2 rigs.
George and Dalton produced the strongest results of the Rollesby Topper group, regularly finishing in the top third of the fleet and at times even inside the top ten. George was our Top Ranked Topper overall, often among the first five boats to round the windward mark, although congestion caused by the other fleets occasionally created difficulties. His boat seemed permanently full of water because of a leaking bailer, but even that could not slow him down. Dalton followed closely behind George in the overall results, one of our aspiring ‘Topper Circuit’ racers, this event was good practice for the years to come.
George having fun!Dalton is flying!
Tilly showed real perseverance after losing her burgee in Race 1 during a lengthy encounter with the mud. She kept her spirits up and achieved much stronger results once the wind began to ease. Harry and Solomon breathed new life into the ancient Club Toppers. Purple and Red sped across Barton Broad with fresh sails and rigging recovered from the depths of the shed, and both sailors enjoyed some good results. Hattie and Una sailed consistently in the middle of the fleet, while also taking on a big sister role for some of the younger competitors. Both recorded good results during the day. As two of Rollesby’s longest-serving team members, they have been part of the Junior Programme from the very beginning.
Tilly lost her burgee!Harry hiking hardSolomon rides a wave!Hattie with her game face onUna making an overtake
Good friends Monty and Stanley faced some particularly ferocious gusts and both experienced their share of capsizes. Although they sometimes found themselves towards the back of the fleet, neither gave up and neither was the last boat home in their races.
Stanley finds a gustThe Boys ChillingMonty keeps calm
Henrietta sailed her Optimist in the slow-handicap fleet, competing against Teras and several familiar local rivals. She was the first Optimist home in three races, securing the overall Optimist fleet victory during the first half of the day. Because the races were short, Henrietta remained close enough to the faster Teras that she was also likely to have taken the handicap win. The Oppies enjoyed several close tactical battles, but Henrietta stayed calm, found the necessary boat speed and performed strongly in the sprint-style races.
Henrietta leads the Optimist Fleet
Prize Giving proved eventful as the results were still not in the correct order. Henrietta’s place at the top of the podium was secure, but there was some confusion when Monty was announced as the winner of the 5.3 fleet, despite having raced with a 4.2 rig! Monty was also later nominated for the endeavour prize, although he was sadly not permitted to collect two medals.
Henrietta claims 1st Place on the PodiumMonty receives his nomination
Every Rollesby sailor represented the club superbly. They were polite and respectful, demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship, resilience and determination. Tilly summed up the day perfectly when she said,“Rollesby is like a family.”Her words captured the camaraderie and sense of belonging that ran through the whole group. We hope the team made lasting memories and will look back on the Regatta as a challenging, rewarding and enjoyable experience. Our sincere thanks go to every parent and Rollesby volunteer who helped to support the team over two long days. The only question that remains is: are you ready to do it all again next year?
Last week saw the Whit Series come to an end and the new Summer Series begin. Kicking off with our traditional open regatta and this time bringing summer social element – the BBQ! Please find below the Whit Series Summary Booklet and the Racing Report for the event.
Lots of boats at the start-line for on the closing weeks of the Whit Series – Flickr Albums
A pleasant north‑easterly breeze greeted 22 Rollesby dinghies for their Summer Open Regatta on Sunday. Sunshine sparkled across the Broad and the Club BBQ added to the atmosphere, setting the scene for close, competitive racing. Six juniors joined the action, with three battling in their Toppers, while the main fleet saw results ultimately decided by single points.
Race 1 began with several usual front‑runners late to the start line, allowing a small group of faster boats to break clear. Tony Fullford (Comet Trio) and Clive Girling (ILCA 7) led early, but in classic Rollesby fashion the chasing pack closed in as the breeze shifted. Fullford held his advantage to the finish, while Kevin Postlethwaite (Solo) used the final leg to edge Girling into third by a single second on handicap.
Race 2 brought more reshuffling as the wind faded and filled unpredictably, creating big gains and losses on every leg. Howard Astley‑Jones (RS Vareo) made best use of his spinnaker, extending his lead each lap for a comfortable win. Daniel Bull (ILCA 7) maintained a secure second throughout, with Chris Barker (ILCA 6) climbing steadily in the building breeze to take third.
After lunch the wind strengthened, tempting sailors back out for a final, livelier race. Bull thrived in the fresher conditions to secure first place, with Barker close behind on corrected time. Chris Foster, crewed by Chris Codling (Wayfarer), powered into third under their striped neon spinnaker.
Bull’s pair of strong finishes secured him the overall trophy, with Barker close behind also counting only podium results. Fullford’s opening‑race win, backed up by a fifth later in the day was enough for third, and the remaining lower overall positions were just as contested.
We will also be entering a team for the 2026 Broadland Youth Regatta! https://puntclub.co.uk/broadland-youth-regatta/ – held at Barton Broad in around one months time. There are a of you few entered already, but please speak to someone from the Training Team if thinking of competing. We will put out more communication about the ‘BYR’ closer to the time.
