Yeoman Open at Norfolk Broads Yacht Club

Swift rides a gust on Wroxham Broad during the Yeoman Open at Norfolk Broads YC © Susan Everett

Bill and Diana Webber win the Yeoman Open at Norfolk Broads YC © Susan Everett

Eleven boats came to the line for the first race on Saturday afternoon in bright sunny conditions with the wind gusting up to force five straight down Wroxham Broad from the North East. The Yeoman fleet at N.B.Y.C. was pleased to welcome back two previous Yeoman owners, sailing club boats.

Early to show in the first race were current National Champions, Bill and Diana Webber in Swift, closely followed by George and Linda Whitefoot in Fire Opal and father and daughter team of Mark and Ellie Ringwood in Gremlin 3. In lap two, in the shifting wind, Michael and Frances Holmes in White Spirit stormed through to second place, only to lose out to Gary Ross and Stevie Dixon in Topaz by the finish.

In the second race, Gremlin 3 made a great start at the port end of the line whilst most of the fleet struggled to get going in a lull at the windward end. Fire Opal and Topaz led the pack of chasing boats up the first beat. After a poor start and more ground lost with a 720 degree penalty turn (for not looking out for luffing leeward boats whilst trying to hoist the spinnaker), Swift eventually started to gain places on the third lap to finish second close behind Gremlin 3.

With both Swift and Gremlin 3 well placed to win the meeting, it was Gremlin 3 that got the best start to lead at first mark in race three on Sunday morning. On the long beat on the second lap however, Swift sailed the port side of the Broad, to tack on a header to join the leading pack at the windward mark. After some close racing, it was Swift that finished first followed by Gremlin 3 and Topaz.

With all to play for in race four, to celebrate her birthday, Ellie took the helm of Gremlin 3 to be close behind Swift at the end of the first beat. With the wind now having changed to an easterly direction, blowing across the Broad in angry gusts there was a lot of place- changing in the fleet with Mario Tinge and Michelle Ackroyd in Folly Too taking the lead. Just half a lap later, Swift got to the front to hold out to the finish and win the race and the meeting.

Overall Results: