Marblehead GAMES series at Broads Radio Yacht Club

Eastern District RM Broadland Trophy

Sunday May 29th saw an entry of 7 skippers convene at the Broads venue. The one fleet was made up of local Broads and Norwich Club members, but welcomed Rob Vice from Clapham MYC. Rob making the long journey up via Ipswich for his eventful first sail at the Broads.

There was a nice selection of Marbleheads on display; Starkers 3, Paradox, Uproar, Prime Number, MX Goth Crayon, and Indie. Almost a different design for each skipper sailing! For once a decent fresh Northerly breeze prevailed allowing race officers David Grint and Tom Wilkinson to set out a port rounding two large triangle course with a couple of beats and separate finish, which soon proved challenging in an ever strengthening wind.

Mid - morning saw some close sailing with breeze at force 5. Early races were soon to be dominated by Tri Services Vinnie Zammit's Prime Number, Rob Vices, slim hulled Uproar and Norwich member Duncan Ellis Sailing a Starkers 3.

The mornings 9 races saw Vinnie Zammit take 4 race wins, Duncan Ellis 2, closely followed by Rob Vice with 1 race win and a consistent 4 seconds. This made for just one point separating the first 3 boats, Vinnie and Duncan tying for first with Rob Vice third.

After a welcome lunch and warm up in the café the wind if anything had backed slightly to North West, increasing a further notch to force 6, and now blowing straight down the broad. This giving rise to foam and the beginnings of white horses on the water and a fair chop to knock out the wind in those close hauled sail settings.

The afternoon's races, from 10 to 16, soon became a test of boat durability and survival and the fleet was reduced to 3 boats after 4 retirements because of rig damage, electrical failure and in one case not having a small enough rig for the conditions.

This left Vinnie Zammit's, Prime Number, John Hanton's, Paradox and Alan Bright's home built, wooden hulled and slightly over canvassed Indie to battle out the last 5 races in what proved to be some very close and challenging sailing. John Hanton sailing his swing rigged Paradox for the very first time posted a very creditable three race wins.

After 16 well behaved races we had a clear victory for Vinnie with 19 points. John Hanton recovered well in the afternoon and finished second with 36 points with the Broads Alan Bright's Indie coming a close third with just two points separating them, scoring 38 points.

Norwich member Duncan Ellis, despite retiring with electrical failure, came 4th with 49 points, 5th was Rob Vice with 58, 6TH Michael Howard and 7th Harry Ellis.

Overall a well presented event, in a strong Northerly breeze and dominated by those boats best equipped for the conditions.

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Overall Results: