East Anglian Offshore Racing Association Early Season Regatta 2026
by Paul Wood 7 May 22:54 PDT
2-4 May 2026
EAORA Early Season Regatta 2026 © Pelham Etherington
After declining support for the traditional opening weekend of the EAORA programme, the format was shaken up this year with the introduction of a three-day, three-race mini regatta on the early May Bank Holiday weekend.
It was a great success, attracting twice as many entrants, and despite frustratingly light conditions which tested competitors and race officials alike, was hugely enjoyed - very encouraging for the future of EAORA.
Day One: Medway YC's Jane's Cup - Harwich to Medway
A shortened course still didn't get all 12 starters finished in under 12 hours, but for some it was a great chance to get to know their boats again after a long winter's refit. Philip Clarabut, Commodore of Medway YC, was on the finish line at buoy Z2 (north of Stangate Creek), a patient race officer waiting for the wind to fill in, but it didn't happen and for some yachts it wasn't even 1.5 knots over the ground to the finish line against the ebb tide.
The prize-giving was held at Medway YC, all the EAORA boats moored on the hammerhead, and the club provided hot food and a late bar.
IRC:
Overall
1 Ape-X, X332, Robert Leggett, Haven Ports YC,
2 Warrior, A40RC, Simon Farren, Colne YC,
3 Katla, J30, Ian Pavey, Stour SC.
Two handed: Warrior
Class I: Warrior
Class II: Ape-X
Class III: Katla
YTC:
1 Warrior
Day Two: Royal Burnham YC's RALPH HERRING Trophy - Medway to Burnham
The 12 boats raced from the Medway to Burnham on Crouch, joined by Countdown, a Sigma 33 from Medway YC. Another calm day was forecast with light southerlies.
Congratulations to David Evans with Hustler 32 Hullabaloo XV who won the Ralph Herring Trophy, only a minute ahead of Katla on corrected time after the fleet kedged up for over an hour waiting for wind.
The prize-giving was held at Royal Burnham YC. The Ralph Herring Trophy was presented to David Evans by Stephen Herring. Their friendship on the water exceeds half a century. The club also provided hot food and late bar.
IRC:
Overall
1 Hullabaloo XV, Hustler 32, David Evans, Walton & Frinton YC,
2 Katla
3 Countdown, Sigma 33, Quentin Strauss, Medway YC
Two handed: Loki, Dufour 36, James Fisher, St Helier YC
Class I: Warrior
Class II: Ape-X
Class III: Hullabaloo XV
YTC:
1 Katla
Day 3: West Mersea YC's Pattinson Cup - Burnham on Crouch to West Mersea
There were 11 yachts on the start line at the Branklet buoy on the River Crouch to race back to Mersea. It was an exciting start, with very light winds from the north or north east and it wasn't long before yachts were tacking within the Buxey Channel - making rather slow progress. Race officer Andy Wise shortened the course and there was a self-timed finish at Barrow No 5.
IRC:
Overall
1 Warrior
2 Imposter, Corby 33, Robin Page, Colne YC
3 Ape-X
Two handed: Warrior
Class I: Warrior
Class II: Ape-X
Class III: Katla
YTC:
Warrior
The Regatta proved a great success with lovely silverware won with so much EAORA history. Yachts were out on the water for a full day three days running. After competing in Saturday's race which took more than twelve hours, one owner was heard saying: "What a great way to learn about my boat. It would have been many two-hour Sunday morning races to match what I have learned today." It was EAORA's first event using the new racing software Nautical Cloud, which proved very popular, helpful to competitors and organisers alike.
Congratulations to all the competitors for persevering in light conditions for the whole event, and thank you to member clubs, race officers and volunteers on the committee boats. Thank you also to our sponsors DXB Pumps and Compass Rigging.
Prizes for the Pattinson Cup and the Mini Regatta overall will be presented at EAORA's end of season prize-giving at Colne YC on October 31.
Full details are at www.eaora.org.uk
Overall Results: (three days racing, no discards)
IRC:
Overall
1 Ape-X 13.7pts)
2 Katla (16.7pts)
3 Warrior (18pts)
Two handed: Warrior
Class I: Warrior
Class II: Ape-X
Class III: Katla J30
YTC:
Warrior