Grogans have the golden touch as visitors join the locals on Oulton Broad
The long beat back from four. Picture: Beccles ASC - Credit: Archant
Ten visiting Squibs from the Isle of Wight, Haven Ports, Waldringfield and Burnham travelled to Oulton Broad at the weekend to join 12 local boats for the Broadland Squib Regatta.
Harry Shipley on his way to two wins. Picture: Beccles ASC - Credit: Archant
The fleet was divided into four groups and on the Saturday sailed three races in flights, so that everyone sailed against everyone else at least once.
A busy RNLI Pennant start at Beccles. Picture: Beccles ASC - Credit: Archant
With short beats, some starboard hand marks and a strong, gusty breeze, the unusual format worked well. All scores counted and were used to decide who would be in the Gold and Silver fleets on Sunday. So on Saturday evening, Bryan and Jenny Riley were leading with three firsts, Jimmy Tubby and David Gale second, followed by Stuart Rix and Nigel Grogan in join third. In the Silver Fleet, Oliver Hunt and Marc Moncieff were leading in Crazy Diamond.
Sunday's breeze was very light and fluky to start with, but a sea breeze filled in at midday. Nigel and Jack Grogan won the first Gold Fleet race, which meant the three leading boats had equal points going into the final race.
Again the Grogans finished first, just ahead of Stuart Rix, and retained the trophy. The Rileys were second overall and Tubby and Gale third. Silver Fleet winners were Emma Baker and Sam Prime.
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This weekend, WOBYC hosts a Laser and single-hander open meeting on Saturday and the Lady Mayhew all-comers race on Sunday.
After the long winter break, 15 eager helms from Beccles Amateur Sailing club gathered on the start as racing got under way on the river Waveney.
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The light south westerly filled to an occasional force four, sending boats towards the bridge off an exciting and often vocal short start line, although the run back against the flood tide, down to four in the basin, was more relaxed.
Harry Shipley in his Laser opened with two RNLI Pennant wins, the first by just five seconds, from Mark Langston in his Lightning368 Flash, while Jonathon Blankley and Sophie Manders worked furiously to collect two thirds on corrected time. Four juniors entered the Poyser Cup races around a slightly shorter course. Hugo Blyth in his Topper took two convincing wins, while Chelsea Topping and Ed Rake shared a second and third each.
