Please select your home edition
Edition
Vetus-Maxwell 2021 v2 LEADERBOARD

Why Boats Weymouth Regatta 2019

by Kathy Claydon 12 Sep 2019 22:11 AEST 7-8 September 2019
Competitors in Weymouth SC Tender Race © Ricky Bruton

Last weekend, 40 boats from along the South Coast enjoyed a hotly contested Why Boats Weymouth Yacht Regatta, joined by 15 further boats competing in the K6 Nationals. The weekend started on Friday night with the annual fancy dress tender races across the harbour and a BBQ at Weymouth Sailing Club.

There was an excellent variety of courses to keep competitors across six different classes on their toes in 10-15 knots on Saturday. Three closely fought races for each class left the results open for the last 2 races on Sunday. Competition was especially close between the 5 Grand Surprises in IRC1.

Weymouth Sailing Club hosted the daily prize-giving and provided a well-earned meal to competitors and their families, all washed down with great beers (£2 a pint!) thanks to sponsorship by Ringwood Brewery.

Sunday brought fabulous sunshine, but the light wind conditions created headaches for the Principal Race Officer, Iain Jones, as he and the fleets waited for the 180 degree change in wind direction and for it to build to 7 knots. Everyone's patience was rewarded however as he organized two further great races to complete the 5-race event.

There was a wide variety of different courses for the six classes - IRC 1, IRC 3 and IRC 4 (incl VPRS) and six Sea Cadets' RS21s and Squibs and the final races of the K6 Nationals. The regatta prize-giving was held at Royal Dorset Yacht Club and started with presentation to all crew under 18.

Many thanks were given to our main event sponsor, Why Boats brokerage, Bussells Chandlers, Kingfisher Yacht Ropes, Moatt Sails and The Customs House Café for providing such generous prizes to competitors.

Winner of the overall Regatta and of IRC1 was the very quick Happy Daize, (J112E) from the Solent, skippered by James Chalmers, closely pursued by a battle for second between Passion (Grand Surprise) and Jo 90 (J90). Happy Daize was presented, by RDYC, with the famous Churchill Cup, but as this can't leave the Club, they were also presented The Sharp Exit Trophy for best overall yacht.

A special trophy, the Kingfisher Marine Cup, was awarded for the best performance in IRC in the ROs opinion, was won by Mini Mayhem (Melges 24) skippered by Paul Craft from Teignmouth also winning IRC 3. Second place was Saskia VII (J97) Mark Bugler and Jura (J97) Jerry Thompson.

Class 4 was won by Betty, an Archambault Surprise helmed by Simon Ruddick, second Moonshadow 2 (Contessa 32) Mike Street and third Effusion (Elan 295) Mark Talbot.

The Why Boats trophy, for the highest placed boat new to the regatta, was presented to Flying Boat, Grand Surprise, skippered by Ned Winter.

Racing among the eight Squibs was hotly contested, with the first four places in each race changing. Final results: first White Magic (David Wines and Keith Davies of West Hoe SC), second Hope (Simon and Gill Vines) and third Aldebaran (Richard Frost and Peter Jackson). White Magic was also awarded with the highest place visiting boat, the Luhrs Legend Trophy.

Competitors universally praised the excellent race management and the friendly welcoming atmosphere at all the events. Weymouth Bay's resident dolphins also showed their appreciation with some spectacular corkscrew leaps across the bow. Next year's regatta will be held again in early September, see you in 2020!

Full results and more photographs can be found on the YCW website: www.weymouthregatta.uk

Related Articles

The power of tech
What is the cost of safety? How do you measure it? More importantly, how do you appreciate it? What is the cost of safety? How do you measure it? More importantly, how do you appreciate it? Posted on 2 Jul
Stay, play and save at the 2025 Sydney Boat Show
The ultimate indoor boating experience will take over Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park The ultimate indoor boating experience, Sydney Boat Show, will take over Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park from 14 to 17 August for the first time. Posted on 2 Jul
Jazz Turner Faces Everything and Rises
Non-stop, solo, unassisted British Isles navigation has captivated sailors & non-sailors alike Jazz Turner's Project FEAR, her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles in her Albin Vega 27ft yacht has captivated sailors and non-sailors alike. Posted on 2 Jul
GKSS Match Cup Sweden & Nordea Women's Trophy D3
Surprise exits in Marstrand as Quarter-Finalists decided The qualifying round-robin stages at GKSS Match Cup Sweden in Marstrand finished today with the surprise departure of defending champion USA's Chris Poole/ Riptide Racing and Switzerland's Eric Monnin/ Capvis Swiss Match Racing Team from the Open Class. Posted on 2 Jul
Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais Day 1
Sled sparkle in Cascais' Atlantic surf to lead After seemingly being starved of boisterous top end conditions for some years now Okura's Sled crew have been relishing a return to big breezes and big waves. Posted on 2 Jul
Rolex Fastnet Race: Offshore classics set to race
IRC Zero has a rich seam of ocean-going history running through it IRC Zero has a rich seam of ocean-going history running through it. While French round the world race legend Jean-Luc Van Den Heede (aka VDH) isn't competing in the Rolex Fastnet Race, two of his former steeds will be on the IRC Zero start line. Posted on 2 Jul
Four days to start the 5th AEGEAN 600
The fleet has a wide range of sizes and types represented Nearly all 60 teams are assembled here at the Olympic Marine venue getting ready for the start of the 5th edition of the AEGEAN 600, organized by the Hellenic Offshore Race Club (HORC) with co-organizers being Olympic Marine and Region of Attica. Posted on 2 Jul
The Magenta Project unveils new brand identity
As part of its milestone tenth anniversary As part of its milestone tenth anniversary, The Magenta Project is excited to launch a refreshed brand identity and the first phase of its new website, reinforcing its commitment to equity and inclusion for women in sailing. Posted on 2 Jul
Course des Caps Update: A promising start!
The eleven crews have begun their grand tour around the British Isles The Course des Caps - Boulogne-sur-Mer - Banque Populaire du Nord, which set sail from the shores of northern France, marks the first race of the 2025 season and kicks off the new edition of the IMOCA Globe Series Championship. Posted on 2 Jul
AST and B&G extend high-performing partnership
Continuing a collaboration that has been critical to the success of the team AST has announced the renewal of its long-term partnership with B&G, the world's leading sailing navigation and instrument specialists, continuing a collaboration that has been critical to the success of the team over the past eight years. Posted on 2 Jul
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350V-DRY-XX-Yachts X4.3