Rollesby's New Year Regatta drew 21 starters from 13 different classes ranging from Toppers and Solos to Wayfarers and the fast RS 300, 400 and 500 series.

Three races, all to count, were sailed. Enthusiasm led to a rash of general recalls, but once settled, the faster boats soon shot ahead with visitors Richard Fryer and Veronica Falat well to the fore and finishing in that order from club stalwarts Roger Wilson and Val and Chris Hanson.

Fourteen Norfolks uncovered for Frostbites, but a 25-minute delay awaiting the wind, a light SW Force 0-1 (if that) and a strong ebb current caused five to pack up before the start.

Geoffs Coulthard and Evans were first away, followed by Robert George and Caroline Lord, but their chances ended when they were caught by an overhanging tree in the New Cut, and by the time the fleet made it to the upstream mark David and Kate Mackley were in control from Sam Woodcock and Claire Ellis, and so it remained.

The mist came down for the second drift, in which Woodcock broke clear, but on the attenuated second beat Paul and Elise Carrington, and Kate Mackley narrowed the gap, leaving the rest well behind. Woodcock held them off, but on the final beat to the line Carrington, now clear of Kate, caught up and in a dramatic finish edged past him on the line to win by three seconds.

Snowflakes had it worse, and although a couple of Lasers went afloat there was no racing.

Bill Whipp, who died on New Year's Day after a long illness, was a prominent member of NBYC and the YBOD fleet for some 30 years.

Commodore in 1995, he enjoyed considerable success, including winning the prestigious Sir Henry Holmes Trophy three times, and the Martin Cup, part of the Gold Cup race, twice. He leaves a widow, Margaret, sons Simon and Edward, both prominent NBYC sailors, a daughter Sarah and a host of grandchildren.

There will be a celebration of his life at Wroxham Parish Church tomorrow week, at noon.

Cliff Darley has also died recently. He was a well liked Enterprise and Norfolk sailor in the 1960s, at Wroxham and Frostbites, and served as Beachmaster at the Enterprise National Championships at Gorleston in 1968.