Reports – Page 2 – Rollesby Broad Sailing Club

START OF FROSTBITE SERIES

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

WEDNESDAY SERIES REPORT 2024

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.

RBSC at Broadland Youth Regatta

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.

Full Results can be found here…

RACE REPORT – SUMMER SOCIAL – 13TH JULY 2024

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

Wed Report May 1st.

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 Race report.

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!

Solo open report

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.

New Years Day Regatta Report

It was feared that with the forecast over the Christmas holiday period being what it was and for some suffering the effects of a late night seeing in the New Year, that some people may have been deterred from turning out but as the car park started to fill and the dinghy park was abuzz with boats being rigged with plenty of friendly banter and shouts of “Happy New Year” any fears were soon dispelled.

The day was bright with blue skies , wall to wall sunshine and a moderate south westerly breeze – possibly too much westerly blowing over the trees to make it a perfect direction and resulting in some wicked wind shifts to master.

With 3 races scheduled, the Sallis family, who once again had kindly volunteered to run the regatta, made the decision to set a conservative 3 Lap first race to “test-the-water” and see how everyone would manage shifting wind conditions. With 28 boats including 6 visitors representing 12 different classes (I bet nobody had heard of the “Unit” class before!) all sharing the same start line this seemed very sensible. With a long start line set across the broad in front of the clubhouse the decision was to either take advantage of the starboard bias and start at the far end of the line closer to the trees or hedge your bets and go for the middle of the line where the wind was more consistent. A long first leg down the length of the broad to No 3 mark meant that tactics would also come into play as to whether to point high, stay on the wind, taking advantage of any lifts to possible lay the mark without needing to tack at the risk of maybe sailing slower and capsizing to windward in the vicious headers as the wind came over the trees, or to go for speed and sail freer, with the possible downside of needing to tack to make the mark.

It was the single handers who seemed to make the best calls in Race 1 with Daniel Bull in his Laser leading the way and a visitor from WOBYC Adam Yoraston in his Streaker 2nd and Chris Barker with his Radial rig on his Laser in 3^rd.

With wind continuing to shift further right for Race 2 the start line was once again loaded with boats all keen to pull the trigger and get clear of line as soon as possible, so much so that a general recall was required (much to Phil Highfield’s relief in his Streaker) . Everyone got away cleanly on the second time of asking and with a longer 4 Lap Race now set it was possible for the Wayfarers of Mike McNamara and Dave Houghton with their deft spinnaker handling to pull clear of the fleet and secure 1^st and 2^nd place respectively. Daniel and Adam, after their stella performance in Race 1 were both buried well down in the pack making everything to play for in Race 3 after lunch.

As the wind became lighter and continued to shift further right in the afternoon a course change was needed to try and get a couple of true upwind beats diagonally across the broad from No 6 to No 4 and No 2 to No 3 . It was Daniel Bull securing 2^nd place, making him the overall winner and Adam who came 3^rd, securing 2^nd place overall who once again found their touch to make the most is this new course and the lighter wind conditions but the story of Race 3 was the spectacular asymmetric spinnaker work of Howard Ashley-Jones in his RS Vareo which gave him the race win and pull him up to 3^rd place overall, ahead of Dave Houghton in 4^th and Mike McNamara in 5^th, both of whom had decided not to venture out in the afternoon.

At the prize giving Jon Sallis presented the New Years Day Regatta Binnacle, surely the Norfolk Broads most sought after trophy , to Daniel Bull in his Laser and thanked all the competitors, particularly the visitors, for turning out to make it such a spectacular way to kick-off the new year.

Full set of results can be found on the website at

Sailwave results for 2024 New Years Day Open Regatta at Rollesby Broad 2024 (rbsc.org.uk)

BOXING DAY 2023 REPORT

Seventeen boats turned out on a rare dry day for the annual Pursuit Race. The initial fresh S.W. wind veered during the morning to eventually become a light Westerly

There were two Fathers competing against their daughters in the fleet. Emily Pike in her Topper was the first to start whilst her Father Daren in his Phantom was the last. Emily held the lead for two laps but was overtaken by some of the faster boats in the sheltered parts of the course on lap three. Daren worked his way up to a mid fleet position overtaking Emily during lap four.

Ellie Edwards started second in her Splash. She held her place until lap four when she was passed by some of the faster boats. Dad Kevin and Sister Pipa started mid fleet in their Enterprise but by lap four they had become the lead boat and went on to take the Bent Vase Trophy as this year’s winners.

The first three boats spent the race in close competition. Ian Ayres in the Solo was close on the Enterprise’s tail and Dan Bull in the laser just behind. The other front runner was Roger Wilson in his Solo who was fourth. Dave Houghton and John Symonds in the Wayfarer had to be satisfied with a fifth place having won this event for the previous three years.

Initial Spread Out Fleet

Leader Close Up

At the end of the race competitors and spectators enjoyed Angie’s mince pies and mulled wine.

Ten boats took part in the next All-commers race. The first beat was “hiked out” sailing but as the veering wing dropped sailing conditions down the Broad become difficult. Getting round the marks on the sheltered side of the broad was the key to the race. Ian Ayres in his solo took an early lead and was a long way ahead when the course was shortened after two laps. Ellie Edwards in the Splash was second and Dan Bull in his Laser third.

Full Results

Boxing Day 2023 Pursuit Race results.

Enterprise – Kevin & Pipa Edwards
Solo – Ian Ayres
Laser – Daniel Bull
Solo – Roger Wilson
Wayfarer – Dave Houghton & John Symonds
Wayfarer – Phil & Tamsin Highfield
Splash – Ellie Edwards
Harrier – Phil Alison
Phantom – Daren Pike
Laser – Howard Astley Jones
Laser – Keith Sykes
Laser – Stuart Highfield
Topper – Emily Pike
Wayfarer – Ian Curtis
Solution – Richard Brown
Wayfarer – Phil Harlow & Lorna
Phantom – Clive Wells

Boxing Day All- commers race

Solo – Ian Ayres
Splash – Ellie Edwards
Laser – Daniel Bull
Wayfarer – Phil & Tamsin Highfield
Solution – Richard Brown
Enterprise Kevin & Pipa Edwards
Laser – Keith Sykes
Harrier – Phil Alison
Solo – Mike Horwitz
Solo – Kevin Postlethwaite

Junior and Adult Novice Racing Regattas

Combined Report of Junior and Adult Novice Racing Regattas

Two sailing events were held on the 22nd of July and 23rd of September to promote racing to both juniors and adults in a beginner friendly way. Adults who considered themselves ‘novices’ at racing were encouraged to take part to enable them to build confidence and get some close races with others of similar abilities. Juniors competed to gain extra knowledge and have new experiences, with some starting their first ever proper race. There were three categories to enter based on age and experience criteria, Adults (self-explanatory!), Junior Gold (for sailors’ stage 2 and above) and Junior Silver (for ‘newer’ sailors aiming for stage 1).

Saturday 22nd of July 2023

The previous agreed date was postponed due to very high winds and a new date was set before the BBQ summer social which was planned later that afternoon. Due to this last minute cancellation and an unseasonably cold, wet and windy day, numbers were lower than expected. Despite this the sailors took on the tricky conditions, spurred on by the promise of prizes and of course the amazing BBQ after. Racing was extremely closely fought at the top end between both the junior and adult fleets, with lots of position swapping and nail biting finishes. It was two races to count from two so no slip-ups could be afforded if the competitors were aiming for a medal. The results are as follows below.

Adults:

Rhiannon (Splash) – 3 points
Andy (Splash) – 4 points
Gary (Laser) – 7 points
Jane B and Jane M (Wanderer) – 8 points
Chris and Angus (Heron) – 11 points

Junior Gold:

Henrietta (Optimist) – 2 points
Evie (Optimist) – 4 points
Matthew (Topper) – 9 points
Nicholas (Optimist) – 10 points
Saturday 23rd September

Saturday 23^rd of September 2023

With the end of the Friday evening junior celebrations the day before, spirits were high and the turnout was great with 19 boats taking to the water. The wind was a shifty and gusty westerly, with some sailors opting for reefs to manage these conditions and all dressing warmly for the cooler air. The day started off quite windy and cold, but by lunch time the sun made an appearance but took the wind away! Again there was very close racing to be had in all fleets but this time sailors were allowed to discard their worst result from the three races with countback being taken into consideration. The rescue boat crew worked hard, relaying information about shorten courses and giving the newest racers in the junior silver fleet some additional guidance and support to get around their course. Things went down to the wire in the final junior gold race, as first place could have gone to anyone and the positons at the top end were constantly changing. Everyone displayed great tactics and skill to navigate the headers, lifts and patchy wind often inadvertently ending up with two beats! Slower boats seemed to benefit as their ‘good’ handicaps worked out well in the hotly contested races where most boats finished close together. By the end of the last race the wind had dropped to almost nothing and some boats drifted round to the finish. The sailors had well-deserved prizes waiting for them and the results follow below with a more detailed breakdown available in the club house.

Adults:

John (Laser 13) – 2 points
Suzanne (Topper) – 3 points
Andy (Splash) – 5 points
Ed (Laser) – 7 points
Don (Solo) – 8 points
Toni (Pico) – 10 points

Junior Gold:

Henrietta (Optimist) – 2 points
Matthew (Topper) – 3 points
Evie (Optimist) – 5 points
Kerry (Topper) – 7 points
James (Topper) – 11 points
Adam (Pico) – 11 points
Eleanor and Elsa (Wayfarer) – 12 points
Nicholas (Optimist) – 14 points
Una (Optimist) – 17 points

Junior Silver:

Josef (Topper 4.2) – 2 points
Bronwen (Optimist) – 4 points
Jack (Topper 4.2) – 4 points
Ketty (Optimist) – 7 points

A huge thank you is owed to our rescue boat crews, training team and the parents who all volunteered their time to help the event run smoothly. Another big thanks is given to all competitors who came out to support the club at these new events and showed such great determination and racing skills. A special mention also goes out to those juniors whose very first races were had as they all did amazing, taking to the race course in some challenging conditions and all completed at least once race. We look to run more events in the future so keep your eyes out! The team looks forward to seeing more of you out on the water racing on Sundays, doing the Wednesday Evenings Series next summer and the junior blocks in 2024, or just out for a casual sail next season when the weather returns. We hope you have enjoyed this season’s programme and will hopefully see you again sometime!