Surrey Schools and Affiliated Groups enjoyed warm sunny weather with a light north-easterly breeze for their first regatta of 2003.
49 entries with 66 sailors from seven groups competed in the seven events.
From a committee boat start in the centre of the lake an elongated figure of eight course was set with the finish in front of the clubhouse.
Local sailors Papercourt Juniors won five of the seven races, including taking the first four places in the 21 entry Topper class, Max Parfitt - Wey Activities being the closest of the chasing pack. In The Laser Radial class, James Boyce PSC won comfortably from Tom Buffham -RGS with Sam Edmundson PSC 3rd.
The closest finish of the day was in the Scratch race- the Optimist of Andrew Adam PSC beating Henry Maxfield RGS Optimist by 3 seconds with the Graduate of Russell Oliver and Jon Dawes- RGS 3rd.
Eight Enterprises competed in their Class race, Therfield gaining 1st and 3rd with RGS second.
In The Fast Fleet Handicap, won by James Boyce, The Epsom College team of Jess Taylor and Matt Blaicklock sailing a Wayfarer had a best finish of 3rd place and finished 5th overall.
The return of St James School was rewarded with a win in the Otter Class, John Hockley and Tim Prendergast beating Therfield’s Emma Snow and Jenny Manby.
Commodore Andy Kittow thanked all the volunteers, with particular accolades to Robert Stewart, SSSA principle for his dedicated work. To Philip and Dennis Martin for transporting and preparing Safety boats, engines and equipment. To Race Officers David Wingrove and Robin Cannell ably supported by Chris Gee and Simon Fuller.
(Edited versions of this report can also be found in Yachts & Yachting magazine and website.)
For the full results, please click here.
Competitors are reminded that to compete in a race you MUST sign on ! And when you finish you must sign off – NOT someone else. If you forget and the sign on –off sheet has been removed, tell the Race Officer as soon as possible
Laser class races will now be restricted to the Radial Rig.
Also, if changes to the rig are made during the regatta it will be classed as
a new entry.
Remember our next Regatta on May 10th is at QUEEN MARY SAILING CLUB - BE THERE!
Dennis Martin
SSSA Press Officer
Spring 2003.
Last updated: 4 July, 2003