Musto Skiffs at the Ullswater Daffodil Regatta

Ullswater Yacht Club Daffodil Regatta © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

A terrific 26 entries turned up for the Daffodil Regatta 2024, which was the opening event in the Scottish and Northern Circuit calendar.

Saturday morning brought a very light and chilly easterly breeze, which made for a very challenging racecourse with up to 40-degree shifts.

Races 1 and 2 became a bit of a precession due to the wind flickering one way and the other, making the race officer's job a nightmare. Ian Escritt nailed the second run and got ahead of Sam Pascoe, then managed to hold on to his lead to take the win, with Sam in 2nd and Danny Boatman in 3rd.

Race 2 became a similar affair to the previous race, but Sam got ahead and stayed there to take the win, with Rob Richardson chasing hard to finish in 2nd, and Jono Shelley taking 3rd.

Ullswater Yacht Club Daffodil Regatta - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Race 3, the best race of the day, was slightly further round to the north. The fleet got away with everyone looking fairly even, apart from Jono, who somehow was halfway up the beat, having made the most of a private bit of breeze. Sam and Rob chased hard, with Sam showing his superb pace and again taking the win. Jono took a well-deserved 2nd and Rob took 3rd.

It was then decided enough was enough, and it was time to head to the bar! The club somehow managed to lock us in the training room, which was a great place for some pizza and beers a long with a few tunes and some dodgy singing!

Sunday morning brought with it a westerly, which was ever so slightly more than Saturday, but no steadier giving us all plenty to think about.

Ullswater Yacht Club Daffodil Regatta - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Race 4 had several boats in the mix, with four or five boats fighting for the lead up the second beat before the usual suspect got his nose in front towards the top of the course and, once ahead, Sam managed to win comfortably with Danny and Rob fighting for 2nd. It was Danny that managed to keep 2nd place, with Rob taking 3rd.

In race 5, Sam Pascoe decided to start on port, and it didn't look like he'd find a gap until he squeezed through and then found himself clear ahead, and no one could catch him. Rob chased again and kept 2nd, with Danny Boatman taking 3rd.

We then had a race abandoned due to a 90-degree shift, but at this point, I think a few were ready for home.

Race 6 was a game of snakes and ladders. With Rob leading the way, he decided he was too warm and fancied a swim in the ice-cold water to allow Sam to take the honours! Mikey Matthews, who had sailed well all weekend, was constantly hot on the leader's tails and took a well-deserved 2nd. Jono also sailed another fine race, finishing in 3rd for the last race of the day.

Sam Pascoe wins the Musto Skiff class at the Ullswater Yacht Club Daffodil Regatta - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Overall results for the Musto Skiff class saw Sam Pascoe finishing in 1st place, with Rob Richardson in 2nd, and Danny Boatman in 3rd.

It was great to see some new faces and a real buzz in the class for the season ahead! Also, a mention for Jono, who was a huge miss last year. Great to see him back racing hard after a year out with a leg injury.

Thanks again to Ullswater Yacht Club and to all their volunteers for hosting a good regatta for all.

We roll onto Sunderland in a few weeks for another Open event on 18/19 May, with hopefully even more entries.

Event photos by Tim Olin at flic.kr/s/aHBqjBoeXF

Overall Results: