Maldon Town Regatta Dinghy Race at Maldon Yacht Club

This is primarily an Old Gaffers Rally climaxing at Hythe quay. The Dinghy and Cadet races are very much also rans. But we’ll concentrate on the dinghy race run by Maldon Yacht Club.

Three visiting Merlins from Maylandsea Bay joined the fleet. The sun popped in and out as the wind puffed and faded, N/NW 3-12 knots. The tide was on springs at a gallop, eventually flooding over the promenade and leaving Northy Island as little more than a few trees poking out of the water.

The course was a well thought out affair with the avoidance of over 50 old gaffers sailing up the creek. It was more about orienteering than just a few cans to round, a splendid scene. Simon and Pies (Becky) sailing a Merlin won the start and showed good speed holding off the rest of the fleet on a fast close two-sail reach for the gybe around the number 17 green navigation mark overlooked by the promenade, in front of the outward-going Thames barges with the day trippers. Simon and Pies had a race of ups and downs falling victim to the tide and being misled by others sailing a variety of variations of the course.

Ron teamed up with Wiggy, a team again with potential to lift the pot. Sadly Ron, fascinated with the bird life in the saltings, duffed the start. Then followed a long battle with the Blaze fleet, which he finally lost by 30 seconds on corrected time. Jacko and Lorna, having gained the lead with the kite going up on the outward reaching leg to Nipper, were not to be seen again and enjoyed the sights and sounds of the day with Lorna very much in charge. The sight of the huge amount of sailors heading into Colliers Reach. with the circumnavigation of Northy Island, the search for Clarks and New Hall marks and the windward leg up Southy creek as Northy Island slowly submerged, made it a notable affair.

The second half sailed off Herring point and back into Colliers reach, mixing it with the Barges and Gaffers in a shifty breeze on the top of the tide, was a spiritually moving occasion. Jacko and Lorna won the day having sailed the right course.

Thanks to all at Maldon Y.C. for doing all the work in organising the day for the dinghy race that seems to go almost unnoted. The racing was part of the Blackwater Travellers Trophy series and Merlin Magic (Essex), see sailingtheblackwater.blogspot.com