Wroxham Week and Norfolk Broads Yacht Club Open Regatta

Start of Broads O.D. race at Wroxham Week © Bill Webber & Ivan Ringwood

Fresh winds to start Wroxham Week © Bill Webber & Ivan Ringwood

Norfolk Broads Yacht Club's premier event sailed from 29th July to 5th August came in like a lion with force eight winds forecast and the first rain for eight weeks and went out like a lamb with an hour's delay waiting for wind for the prestigious Gold Cup race.

There was a very full programme with races starting at 9.35in the morning with the last start of the day at 18.00hrs. More than 170 boats raced throughout the week, so all race officers are to be congratulated on managing such a crowded schedule.

With a full and varied social programme the week offered an enjoyable experience for everybody and thanks are much deserved by the social committee.

Wroxham Week trophy winners: (apologies for the lack of crew names)

The Miller and Gallium Hawk battle for second place at Wroxham Week - photo © Bill Webber & Ivan Ringwood

Wroxham Open Regatta race winners: (Thursday afternoon)

Fox leading in the Gold Cup at Wroxham Week - photo © Bill Webber & Ivan Ringwood

NBYC Open Regatta Trophy Winners: (Sat. 29th July and Sun. 5th August)

Diamond Jubilee Gold Cup for mixed One Design Keelboats (excluding Yeomans)

The Diamond Jubilee Cup is the most prestigious race in the N.B.Y.C. calendar. It is the last race sailed in the Wroxham Regatta and always arouses considerable interest amongst the many spectators.

Start of the Gold Cup at Wroxham Week - photo © Bill Webber & Ivan Ringwood

Although at the programmed start time of 14.30, there was a glassy stillness over Wroxham Broad, Race Officer Paul Barker sensibly postponed, to wait for the forecast force three to four breeze which duly arrived after an hour.

To everybody's surprise and relief, the fleet got away at the first attempt, saving the need for further delays and black flag disqualifications seen in the past. First to tack onto the long port tack leg of the first beat was Duke of Burgundy from about two thirds of the down the start line from the windward end. Soon to follow were Fox from the middle of the line and Gallium Hawk and The Miller from further to windward. Fox could clearly be seen to have the most speed up this windward leg to lead at the first mark from Gallium Hawk, Thecla and The Miller.

By the second lap, Fox had pulled out a good lead over four boats, The Miller, Gallium Hawk, Ghost and White Ermine who were left to battle over second place.

By the finish, it was Fox who had maintained a good lead to win, followed by The Miller who held off a determined attack by Gallium Hawk with White Ermine finishing fourth.

Gold Cup prize winners: