Classic and Vintage Dinghy Open at Norfolk Broads Yacht Club

Ten boats including home sailors and those that travelled from as far as Lancashire and Cheshire clubs entered this two day event.

For the first race on Saturday afternoon, the wind was light and variable. The Merlin Rocket of Nick Crickmore and Richard Holmes led on the water, followed by Jon Cowper and Mike Liggett also in a Merlin Rocket. They finished first and second but the Firefly of Richard and Lizzy Whitefoot was never far behind the leading group of faster boats.

Condor starting the last race during the Classic and Vintage Dinghy Open at Norfolk Broads YC - photo © Bill & Diana Webber

In the second race, a little more breeze was used to advantage by local sailors Chris and Nick Dunster in their International 14 and Bill and Diana Webber in their GP14. The GP14 chased around in the wake of the International 14 after the leading Merlins had made an error at the leeward mark on the first lap. On corrected time, the GP14 won from the International 14 with the Whitefoots' Firefly third again.

With a forecast of rain and gusts up to force six, only four boats took to the water for race three on Sunday. After eight years of keel boat racing, the Webbers found that they missed the stability factor of 300kg of ballast beneath their boat and quickly sailed back in leaving the Norfolk One Design of Ray Johnson and Steve Ford to win on corrected time from the Whitefoots.

Only the Norfolk dinghy ventured out for the last race meaning that Richard and Lizzie Whitefoot were deserved winners of the Wyche Tankard.

Richard and Lizzie Whitefoot receive the Wyche Cup in the Classic and Vintage Dinghy Open at Norfolk Broads YC - photo © Bill & Diana Webber

Overall Results: