Alderney Regatta 2019
by Ilona Soane-Sands 28 Aug 2019 03:13 PDT
24-25 August 2019
Alderney Regatta 2019 and The Vantage C.I. Triangle © ASC
After years of absence, the Alderney Regatta was re-introduced this year - a decision which was rewarded with an enthusiastic response by visiting sailors from Guernsey, Jersey, France and the UK.
And, for the first time, this year the Alderney Regatta also became an integral part of a new Channel Islands-wide nautical racing event, The Vantage C.I. Triangle which took place the same weekend, with yachts racing from Guernsey to Jersey on Friday 23rd August.
On Saturday 19 yachts and some 120 crew competed in the Jersey to Alderney race and later that evening joined a welcome reception with live music and were treated to a delicious hog roast produced and dished up by Alderney Sailing Commodore Tess Woodnutt.
Saturday 24 August: Alderney Regatta Ortac Race
Five yachts - 3 from Alderney, 1 from the UK and 1 from France (Dielette) competed in this race. "The Ortac Race proved particularly interesting because we had to make the decision which way round to go", commented Tess Woodnutt, skipper of Polar Star. "Four of the Five boats went anticlockwise - possibly a tactical mistake - as the winner was the French boat Victosia, the only yacht to go down the Swinge and leave Ortac to starboard, going clockwise. I'll remember that next year!"
Alderney Regatta Ortac Race Results:
1st: Dielette yacht "Victosia"
2nd: Alderney's "Polar Star"
Best Turned Out-Crew: "Polar Star"
Sunday 25 August: Alderney Regatta "Around the Island" Race
This event was also Leg 3 of the Vantage C.I. Triangle Races
At 09:00, 19 yachts from Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, France and the UK were at the starting line ready to compete in this challenging event.
"The start of the Round the Island Race on Sunday was exciting, with 19 boats all clambering for the most advantageous place to cross over the start line", said Tess Woodnutt. "One yacht was over the start line before the gun went and had to return and start again. The fleet then spread out with the bigger, faster boats reaching the Garden Rocks within about 30 minutes. They then were in a good position to catch the flood tide to run under beautiful coloured spinnakers up the back of the island, and back around Sauquet Rock, with a beat back into Braye Harbour."
"The smaller, slower yachts enjoyed a gentle run, in warm sunshine, and we even saw some dolphins! A photographer followed the fleet on Access Challenger and the link to his photographs will soon be published on the Alderney Sailing Club website".
"Around the Island Race" Results:
1st on Handicap. "Sun of a Gun" (Guernsey)
1st Club Boat - Handicap: "Polar Star" (Alderney)
1st over the Line: "Sun of a Gun" (Guernsey)
Club Boat - Line Honours: "Lady Larus" (Alderney)
1st - All Female Crew: "Polar Star"(Alderney)
Oldest Boat - Decade Prize "Kalina", (Jersey) built in 1965. Came 9th in the race
Best Turned-Out Crew "Black Jack" (Guernsey)
Overall Winners of the Alderney Regatta:
1st on Handicap: "Victosia" (Dielette, France)
1st club boat on Handicap: "Polar Star" (Alderney)
The prize-giving was followed by a complimentary buffet lunch for all competitors.
On Monday morning 26th, in thick fog, 19 yachts left Braye Harbour to complete the last leg of the Vantage C.I. Triangle - the Pursuit Race from Alderney to Guernsey.
The competitors and the organising teams clearly enjoyed the nautical challenges of racing around Alderney as well as the social events and comradery. The Alderney Sailing Club has re-established a close partnership with Guernsey and Jersey Yacht clubs. This event has put Alderney back on the nautical racing map and the decision to make this an annual event was welcomed by all competitors.
Commodore Tess Woodnutt, Race Officer Nigel Vooght and the Alderney Sailing Club Committee wish to thank all volunteers, the Harbour Office and Water Taxi who helped to make this such a successful weekend, and their sponsors - the States of Alderney, Rocquette Cider, The Moorings and Mainbrayce - for their support. Nautical tourism contributes significantly to Alderney's visitor economy.
The date for the 2020 Alderney Regatta will be announced later this Autumn.