The Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club hosted the Squib East Coast Championships over the weekend. A competitive fleet of 22 boats took part, of which eight were from local clubs.

Visitors arrived on Friday in wall-to-wall sunshine, having travelled from the Isle of Wight, Bridlington, Felixstowe, Stone and Burnham on Crouch.

The sunshine failed to return for the weekend, but despite the leaden skies, the fleet enjoyed close, exciting racing in the brisk north-easterly winds. Race officer Veronica Falat set challenging courses in classic Lowestoft conditions, with surfing reaches and tactical beats.

Over the five race series, Nigel and Jack Grogan from Royal Corinthian YC were clear winners with three race wins. Gerard Dyson and Tony Saltonstall (Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club) were second overall, and Malcolm Hutchings and Andy Ramsey (also RCYC) was third. Best of the local boats were Bryan and Jenny Riley, who finished fourth, and Jimmy Tubby, crewed by Richard Parker (sixth). Sam Cole, with Chris Schonhut crewing, was second in the second race.

With excellent organisation, conditions and hospitality, the event was voted a great success, which bodes well for the National Championships to be held at Lowestoft next summer.