Category: Reports

Following the death, last year, of our friend Dennis Manning the club has revived the Wayfarer Trophy as a memorial . This is to be awarded to the best scoring Wayfarer team over several series combined.

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 winners of the 2024-2025 series over the winter period were David Houghton and John Symonds.
A presentation was made at the Spring Regatta on 6 th April 2025.

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!

Roger Wilson

RBSC Sailing Sec

RACE REPORT – START OF FROSTBITE SERIES

24 Boats turned out for the first races of the Frostbite series on Sunday 9^th 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 2^nd, Roger Wilson 3^rd and Kevin Edwards in his Solo 4^th.

Full results on the web site.

John Saddington

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.

John Saddington.

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.

John Saddington

Race Report – Personal Handicap Pursuit – Wed 1st May 2024
The first of May came with some warmer weather at last. Thirteen boats went out to enjoy the race in a moderate North Breeze which held up all evening for the second week running.

Henrietta Highfield set of first, this week sailing a Topper. She held her lead for two laps before being overtaken by Mike McNamara and Ian Curtis in their Wayfarer who went on to win the race. Three generations of the Highfields were out with the senior, Stuart showing the way with a second place in his Laser. Chris Foster helming the wayfarer with Auriel claimed a third.

At the end of the race there was a close competition between the Streaker’s of
Roger Wilson and Phil Highfield.
With the number of boats racing the first and last three will all have changed
handicaps for next week.

Results

Wednesday Evening Personal Handicap Pursuit Race  – Report 24/04/2024

The cold fresh wind during the day put members off coming for an evening sail.  By the time of the race, however, the evening turned out to be bright, with a pleasant steady N.W. sailing breeze. Six boats took part.

Henrietta Highfield had an early start in the Oppie and had a couple of fast laps while the wind was still fresh but then decided to retire. David Taylor, returning  after the winter, was next away in his solo. David was soon overtaken by the next starter, Auriel Gibson in her Wayfarer crewed by Chis Foster. Auriel then held the lead for five laps to win the race.

As the race timed out Mike McNamara with Ian Curtis was 2^nd, Dave Taylor 3^rd, John Saddington 4^th, Jason Elmer with Steve Gibbons in a Wayfarer 5^th followed by Phil Alison who can now start a minute earlier next week!

RBSC Eastern Area Solo Open Meeting Report – 20^th April 2024

The freezing cold and strong northerly wind conditions may have deterred some from travelling  to the RBSC Solo eastern area travellers open meeting on the 20th April but at least it made the decision about what to wear simple. Spring may be here, but full winter thermals and dry suits were the order of the day.  There were 12 entries including 6 visitors. 

Four races were scheduled but with wind speeds recorded up to 29 knots  and gusting regularly in excess of 23-24 knots and mindful that some competitors would be headed to Hickling the following day, the OOD settled on a 3 race format with a single discard.  With the wind direction predominantly in the north to north/west it was possible to set a long upwind/downwind course starting from a committee boat half-way down the broad. However, there were frequent shifts to the west, coming over the trees,  which inevitably meant that the beat to No 5 mark would have to be a bit one sided. 

Race 1 was won by Mathew Frary from NBYC with Chris Bunn from LYC 2^nd and another visitor from NBYC, Duncan Ellis, taking 3^rd.  In Race 2 the positions were reversed with Chris Bunn taking 1^st and Mathew taking 2^nd and Steve Ede from Ardleigh SC coming 3^rd. 

Conditions were taking their toll and many of the competitors, having done enough to qualify already , decided not to push their luck and venture out for the 3^rd race after lunch but with Mathew and Chris each recording a 1^st and 2^nd place, the podium positions were still all to play for. Conditions remained challenging and with Mathew leading Chris Bunn up the 2^nd beat, rather than deciding to cover Chris,  Mathew  split left over towards the trees and was hit by a particularly vicious gust which resulted in a capsize and, alas, the end the race for him, gifting Chris the overall win. Steve Ede finished 2^nd which secured him 3^rd place overall and Roger Wilson finished 3^rd securing him 4^th place overall and  1^st local  club boat. The full set of results can be found here Sailwave results for 2024 RBSC Solo Eastern Area Open Meeting at 2024

At the prize giving Chris Bunn thanked the OOD, Clive Girling and his team of assistants and safety boat crews for their excellent race management in tricky conditions and the competitors travelled home tired but very satisfied with an excellent day’s racing.