Weymouth and Portland Regatta 2010

Weymouth and Portland Regatta June 6th and 7th June 2009

This was a large regatta with several different courses and class starts within Weymouth harbour. Buzzes started with ISOs and Cherubs. Laser 4000s had a separate start. The course was a basic upwind downwind with a further top mark for the Cherubs and 4000s. There was a choice of 2 leeward marks.

Saturday:

Winds on the first day were blowing strongly from the south – force 5 to 7 and created a rolling swell within the harbour. 3 buzzes took to the water from the excellent newly refurbished Olympic venue. 987 made the best start off the line but 1079 tacked off early on to port and pulled ahead. Downwind the extra swell made the spinnaker launch awkward. 987 was the only boat to attempt a gybe with the spinnaker up. 1079 who held pole position to the end of the race opted to spinnaker drop and then tack for a reach to the leeward mark.

With so many boats requiring assistance the rescue cover was stretched – and the racing was abandoned for the day. Back at the sailing club spectators were treated to18 foot skiffs taking to the water.

Sunday:

Variable light airs were the pattern for day two, with an earlier start time in order to accommodate four races. After a bit of a delay the first race was in north westerlies which subsided and backed to light airs. 1079 took the first two races – chasing down the 4000s which started 5 minutes in front. A shortened course for race two left a close last downwind leg between 1027 and 1079 - but 1097 held on with an unassailable three firsts. Increasingly unpredictable light winds for races three and four were taken by 1027 assisted by a capsize after an incident at the last mark between 1079 and a L4000.

All in all a superb location and new facilities – let’s hope for more buzzes for the next open!

1st Buzz 1079

2nd Buzz 1027

3rd Buzz 987

Report by - Jane Noble - Buzz 1027

Results