Category: Reports 2023

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.

  1. Enterprise – Kevin & Pipa Edwards
  2. Solo – Ian Ayres
  3. Laser – Daniel Bull
  4. Solo – Roger Wilson
  5. Wayfarer – Dave Houghton & John Symonds
  6. Wayfarer – Phil & Tamsin Highfield
  7. Splash – Ellie Edwards
  8. Harrier – Phil Alison
  9. Phantom – Daren Pike
  10. Laser – Howard Astley Jones
  11. Laser – Keith Sykes
  12. Laser – Stuart Highfield
  13. Topper – Emily Pike
  14. Wayfarer – Ian Curtis
  15. Solution – Richard Brown
  16. Wayfarer – Phil Harlow & Lorna
  17. Phantom – Clive Wells

Boxing Day All- commers race

  1. Solo – Ian Ayres
  2. Splash – Ellie Edwards
  3. Laser – Daniel Bull
  4. Wayfarer – Phil & Tamsin Highfield
  5. Solution – Richard Brown
  6. Enterprise Kevin & Pipa Edwards
  7. Laser – Keith Sykes
  8. Harrier – Phil Alison
  9. Solo – Mike Horwitz
  10. Solo – Kevin Postlethwaite
P1060038
A few Pics from Pursuit Race

Wednesday Eve 2023 – Final Report

The Wednesday evening series has now finished for this year and was once again enjoyed by Club Members. Thirty-five different helms took part with about twelve boats out each week.  Two nights were lost because of thunder and lightning arriving at the wrong time, but racing took place over sixteen summer evenings.

Picture by Daniel Harvey

Although this series is known for a relaxing time the pursuit race is still keenly contested. The early leader was Phil Alison this year sailing his newly acquired “fast Harrier.”  Followed by Clive Girling and Henrietta Highfield the series looked close for some weeks. 

It was nice to see Roger Wilson out with his lovely Classic Merlin Rocket. We were all pleased to see new sailor Andy Adcock improving his position each week in the splash.  Daniel Harvey was regularly racing again and getting very good results in his laser, but with his personal handicap increasing to plus 6 minutes he was having to work hard at the end of the series. As usual with the pursuit races the boats closed  together towards the end of each race with competitors checking their watches to see who would end up in front of whom at the bell.

After discards kicked in and at the penultimate race, Phil Alison and Henrietta Highfield were level on points. The series winner would come down to the last night.  Henrietta crewed by Dad Phil in the Mirror started in front and held the lead until passed on the last lap by Bob Hawkins in a Wayfarer. With Phil Alison and Daniel Harvey close behind Henrietta manage to hold on to second place and so take the series trophy. Phil came second overall with Daniel third just leading Clive Girling by 2 points.

So well done to Henrietta whose personal handicap this year has increased from -4 to +3 minutes.

We are all looking forward to next years series with the current handicaps carried forward.

SO reserve your Wednesday evenings for Rollesby in 2024

Full Series Results can be found here…………

John Saddington