Tasar TT at Whitstable Yacht Club

Tasar TT at Whitstable © Ayhan Betez / Eye Sky UK

The first Tasar TT of 2026 over the weekend shared with the Merlin Rockets. One that locals and travellers alike were looking forward to.

The gremlin in the pile was to prove to be SE Water. Over the week leading into the event, water supplies in Whitstable, Herne Bay and surrounding villages had been sporadic at best. Hitting the national news, competitors were following updates with interest.

Class captain and event organiser Liz North along with Steve Gray club vice Commodore of Sailing were to be kept busy keeping competitors that had pre-entered advised of the situation with club closed from Wednesday through to Friday morning due to no water supply. Friday morning an email went out advising that the club finally had water, but it was not guaranteed it would last.

Some Tasar competitors coming up from the south coast withdrew rather than risk travelling only to see the event cancelled. This left mainly club members in the Tasar and one traveller to race through the weekend. Furthest travelled were Merlins from Keighley in the north Midlands and Plymouth in the SW.

R/O for the weekend was Tom Bruton ably assisted by Colin Smith and team on the committee boat and land bridge. Saturday presented a NE'ly force 2 and HW at 1330. All Tasar starts would follow the Merlins, with Tasars under black flag. Course would be Course B, windward/leeward allowing the chance for much tactical options downwind.

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On cue the sea breeze started to build and wind slowly clocking round to ENE and increasing to a nice force 3 - 4 with short seas. Target time was 45 - 50 minutes for the first boat in each fleet. The arena was set ready for the gladiatorial battles that were to follow.

After a delay with both fleets held ashore, racing got under way in near perfect conditions for both fleets. All starts would prove to be uneventful with no DSQs for the Tasars, though they were not line shy.

Race 1 and the committee boat end was hotly contested with GBR2814 (Mark Barnes/Joe Barton) getting the better of the fleet, chased by GBR2908 (Stephen Nation/Julie Nuttall) and GBR638 (Ali Nicolson/Theresa Page) and GBR2633 (Zanna Gouch/Liz North). Over the race the first two extended on the fleet with a close contest between 3 and 6 throughout.

Big question was downwind, take the shortest route or VMG the pressure and shifts. GBR2814 VMG'd and GBR2908 shortest route. Interestingly both seemed to pay at times as the weed played its cruel card. GBR2814 won from GBR2908 and GBR638.

Race 2 and 3 were very much the same with the line bias switching back and forth as fairly square so allowing for the variation. GBR2814 won both races but was kept honest by GBR2908 who was on the prowl awaiting any slip up, especially when the leaders were clearing weed from their daggerboard giving a couple of wobbles. Back in the fleet there was much place changing as each race saw lines of pressure closing the fleet up, especially when the tide was on the ebb in the latter 2 races.

After approx. 4 hours on the water, 3 races completed in interesting conditions, especially the weed, GBR2814 led overnight with 3 1sts followed by GBR2908 on 3 2nds and GBR638 on 3 3rds.

Tasar TT at Whitstable - photo © Ayhan Betez / Eye Sky UK

The evening was spent on the veranda with the Merlin and the Rockets band including some guest appearances, with some watching the Champions League final in the sea room. Dinner, a curry and lemon cheesecake made by club manager and retired restauranter Anthony Middleton was served by a gang of WYC members (also some were competitors) and warmly received by all. The evening closed out at closing time, when many had had their fill and headed off to sleep their indulgence off ready for the next day.

Day 2 and slightly colder and wind from the WNW. More wind than predicted, blowing a nice force 4 with gusts as lines of wind came over the land onto the bay from Sheppey. Would we see a repeat of the first day or a change of form. Race 4 would be Course A triangle/sausage and Races 5-6 Course B. With one hour's delay advised the day before to allow for more water depth and as it turned out rehydration of many and cooked breakfast, greatly appreciated.

Race 4 and GBR638 peddled the left to pick up the wind bend round Borstal Hill and then get a further lift at the top of the beat. The two overnight leaders went middle left only to find they had GBR638 on the nose. By the windward mark GBR2814 had edged a slight lead, enough to just tack and led thereafter with GBR2908 in pursuit of GBR638. Over the race GBR2908 got the better of GBR638 to finish in that order.

Race 5 and more of the same but led at the windward mark by GBR2908 with GBR2814 overlapped outside, both coming in on port. Down the first run GBR2814 finally got the marker in front by a short head to lead back upwind covering the fleet which had closed up. Over the following lap GBR2814 extended chased by GBR2908 and GBR638 to the finish.

Race 6 and depleted fleet including GBR2908 having got 5 2nds and heading in for an early finish, the fleet got away with GBR2814 getting into their stride chasing the back of the Merlin fleet with the remainder Tasars in hot pursuit. At the finish GBR2814 took the bullet followed by GBR638 and GBR2633 in 3rd.

Mark Barnes and Joe Barton, overall winners - Tasar TT at Whitstable - photo © Steve Gray

Once ashore a quick turnaround with prize-giving taking place, compere Commodore David Figgis presenting the prizes. A great weekend was had by all with much background work being carried out by the dedicated team on and off the water. For WYC their next event is Laserfest June 27-28th, and for the Tasars their nationals at Paignton Sailing club June 26-28th.

Stephen Nation and Julie Nuttall, second overall Tasar TT at Whitstable - photo © Steve Gray

Overall Results:

Ali Nicolson and Jo Phillips, third overall - Tasar TT at Whitstable - photo © Steve Gray