Alan MallettNBYC marked the last day of the half-term break with an open for juniors which attracted 11 Optimist sailors and seven others, mainly Toppers. In the former class the result was clear cut, Billy Johnson counting three wins out of four to take the honours, with Arabella Sabberton just one place behind him in every race to take second.Alan Mallett

NBYC marked the last day of the half-term break with an open for juniors which attracted 11 Optimist sailors and seven others, mainly Toppers.

In the former class the result was clear cut, Billy Johnson counting three wins out of four to take the honours, with Arabella Sabberton just one place behind him in every race to take second.

Alexandra Knight varied it a little with a second race second gun to secure third overall, while remaining guns went to Tom Johnson, second race winner, and Henry Stevens, third in both the last two races.

Charles Talbot won three races in the mixed class to win by five points from Ben Campbell, with Daniel Campbell just pipping Timothy Haines for third.

Hickling were pleased with over 20 boats appearing, despite the rigours of the Three Rivers, but they included only one Punt as members enjoyed the fresh south-easterly which lasted until it was killed by a heavy shower in the afternoon.

The Three Rivers Race can always be called upon for memorable moments, and from what I gather the long hours of darkness, cold, mist, and lack of wind were every bit as testing as always, with the addition of an adverse tide which even Ian and Mike Tims could not stem at one point.

There are also the more glorious moments, none I think more so than the sight of Malcolm Bishop, an old hand at bridge management, showing commendable style when, mast at last lowered, he pushed off firmly grasping the tiller while his tow lady crews, dutifully reverential, did the hard work with the paddles!

Colin and Pam Facey have, rightly, received many plaudits for their 21-year management, building on the work of their predecessors who included Peter Mallender, Bruce Elias, and Derek and Molly Howes. They introduced the sponsors, Navigators and General Insurance, without whom the race would not be possible, and who generously sponsored the commemorative barbecue.

In 1961 there was a Race Officer, Starter, Timekeeper, one or two general dogsbodies, and I think three guardships, none of which could transit Potter Bridge. Communication, if any, was by road if possible. Nowadays there is an army, or should I say navy, of back-up, radio communication, many guardships and observers, numbering close on 100.

They are too numerous to name, but Ian Bray, as Colin's chief assistant and Tessa Brewster, timekeeper, stand out, as do the Fields family, Alistair, Karen, Toby and Harriett, who have been pivotal in the administration and logging of the minute to minute positions of all the competitors and preparation of the results for many years now, and I gather they will be continuing.

I am sorry to report the death a week ago of Pat Larner, for many years a prominent member of the River Cruiser class, sailing Melody, and also of course a member of various local clubs.

Pat, who was also very active within the Broads Society, was appointed to the BA Navigation Committee a couple of years ago, where his experience and advice stood them in good stead. The funeral is tomorrow afternoon at St George Church, Tombland, at 3.30pm.

This weekend starts tomorrow when RNSYC hold their first major event of the year, namely the June Regatta.

Two-day events over Saturday and Sundayinclude the Yeoman Nationals at Horning, a River Cruiser Open on Barton, and, also on Barton, the Leisure Owners Association Barton Broad Rally.

One-day events are Hickling's Solo Travellers Open, NBYC's Junior Double-Handed Dinghies Open, and the Bittern Owners Association cruise from Thurne to South Walsham, all on Saturday, and, on Sunday, a Topper Open at NBYC, a Solo and Monosail Open at Rollesby, GYGSC's first Lowestoft Passage Race of the year, and at Martham Ferry a 'Come and try sailing' day organised by Martham Boat owners Association.

The following weekend is no less crowded. GYGSC have their Evening sailing on Thursday 17, with Gorleston Beach Regatta following on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20.

The same weekend the Punt Club has its YBOD Open, while Wroxham entertain the Stars and Wayfarers. The Splash class have their Nationals at Horning on Saturday, when RNSYC host the first of three Simo Trophy races for the BODs. On Sunday Beccles host an Enterprise Woodcock salver meeting.

t RESULTS

Norfolk Punt Club

Combined Allcomers, Race 1 (3): 1 Zephyrus (C Chettleburgh), 2 Herald Moth (P Roberts), 3 Panope (W Rhodes). Race 2 (7): 1 Herald Moth, 2 Zephyrus, 3 Coronet (K Heaton). Race 3 (4): 1 Panope, 2 Honey (H Delacave). Race 4 (4): 1 Herald Moth, 2 Frosted Orange (P Girling). Junior Allcomers (2): 1 Tigger (M Dixey), 2 Roo (F Dixey). YBODs (4): 1 Zephyrus, 2 Herald Moth, 3 Coronet. Allcomers (4): 1 Herald Moth, 2 Honey, 3 Frosted Orange.

Coldham Hall Sailing Club

Race 1 Allcomers (12): 1 Rainbow (J Ellis/C Ellis), 2 Contest (P Tegerdine/Pat Tegerdine), 3 Shibboleth (D Woolston/M Woolston). Race 2 Allcomers (13): 1 Contest (P Tegerdine/Pat Tegerdine), 2 Rainbow (J Ellis/C Ellis), 3 Ovation (K Mayfield/J Mayfield). Race 3 Allcomers (13): 1 Penelope Jane (J Hubbard/E Urquhart), 2 Contest (P Tegerdine/Pat Tegerdine), 3 Speedwell (J Wells).

Hickling Broad SC

Allcomers (20): 1 Vago (D Lawson), 2 Rhubarb (M Cullum), 3 Eighth Wonder (P Dearnley).

Junior Races: All three won by P Cullum.

Allcomers (22): 1 Eighth Wonder 2 Rhubarb 3 Marauder (G Northmore)

Allcomers (16): 1 Eighth Wonder 2 Firefly (R Stephenson) 3 Meltemi (D Maisey)

Allcomers (2): 1 Breeze 2 (C Barker)

Norfolk Broads Yacht Club

Saturday - Combined allcomers 1 (8): 1 Evolution (Chris Hanson), 2 White Spirit (John White), 3 Little Blue (Andrew Wood).

Combined allcomers 2 (8): Little Blue (Andrew Bangham), Evolution (Chris Hanson), 3 Alchymist (Adrian Jeakings).

Sunday - Flag Officers Race (5): 1 Marbled White (Geoff Evans), 2 Red Admiral (David Talbot), 3 Clearwing (Robert Self).

River Cruisers (4): 1 Maidie (Mike Barnes), 2 Meggie (Jimmy Tubby), 3 Swallow (Rob Johnson).

Allcomers A (4): 1 The Swedish Job (Danny Tyrell), 2 Evolution (Chris Hanson), 3 Falcon (Chris Dunster).

Club Challenge Cup (18): 1 Thecla (James Clabburn), 2 Scarlet Tiger (Paul Elliott), 3 Willow Beauty (Derek Jennings).

Allcomers B (2): 1 Wild Duck (Geoff Coulthard). Optimists (2): 1 Diddy P (Olivia Parker). Yeomans (9): 1 Evolution (Chris Hanson), 2 Nimrod (Carl Brady), 3 Gremlin II (Ivan Ringwood).

Stars (3): The Swedish Job (Danny Tyrell), 2 Segui La Stella (Brigit Shields), 3 No Name (James Knight).