Easter Races at Overy Staithe Sailing Club

The start of the 2026 season saw a large number of boats and sailors making their way back to the creek to enjoy three days of racing with very varied conditions.

Racing began on Easter Saturday on the morning tide, with the race team of Debs Crissell and Catherine Goodley setting the fleet off from the sea wall out to race in the lagoon. It was a gentle and fitful force 1 Southerly with the sun shining on the 18 boats who competed.

Easter Races at Overy Staithe - photo © Bernard Clark

Sunday provided the forecast wind and the early start and cold gusty wind resulted in a depleted fleet who nevertheless enjoyed some exciting sailing. 12 boats arrived at the start line in a force 4 gusting 5 south westerly. Alex Scoles led at the first mark in his OK and was never caught although the OKs of Pete Turner and Spike Turner were never far behind. The Lasers had their own battles with Ben Johnson well in the lead until his kicker let go and Ash Deakin won the battle with Will Worsley. Sam Worsley, the only junior in the race, battled commendably and completed the course in his Laser Radial. Even the Twinkle 12 was planing at times and finished well up on handicap. The Sharpie was overpowered on the beats and so lost ground.

Easter Races at Overy Staithe - photo © Bernard Clark

Easter Monday provided an excellent morning's sail in a sunny force 2 southerly. The inadequacies of a running start were amply demonstrated when the boats at the front ground to a halt and the ones coming up behind with some wind had nowhere to go. Spike, Andy and Ashley started on the far bank and emerged with a good lead going into Worple buoy. Spike sailed his OK off into the distance leaving the rest of the fleet to fend off the threatening OKs behind - principally Alex Scoles who eventually managed to catch and overtake Spike and Pete Turner who battled through the fleet, eventually overtaking Ashley and our commodore to finish 3rd.

Easter Races at Overy Staithe - photo © Bernard Clark

Sam Worsley did very well to finish 11th and seal the first junior Easter Egg. Fred Worsley battled round against the elements (a dying breeze) to finish in his Topper.

Over the three days Alex Scoles finished 1st, Pete Turner 2nd and Spike Turner 3rd with all of them winning Easter Eggs.

Overall Results: