The Holdfast MYC Regatta started with a practice race on Friday evening but with the winds dropping together with an ebbing tide the course could not be completed. So, it was back to the clubhouse where we all enjoyed excellent fish and chips.
The main event took place on Saturday and Sunday but for the Race Officer watching the weather it started several days earlier. The various weather apps were reporting 2 - 5 knots of wind in a north west direction - not good!
Thirty-six boats entered the regatta (Cruisers, Dragons, Sonatas and Squibs). The cruisers sailed two races on Saturday and one long race on Sunday. The Dragons and Sonatas sailed four races on Saturday and two on Sunday. The Squibs using the club line sailed four races.
This event was not all about racing and it was great to see a number of the non-racing cruiser class sailing for the Montgomery challenge trophy. They started west of the club line some time after 10am (it is all very relaxed!) headed for the Montgomery, leaving it to port, before returning to the club.
There was a tremendous atmosphere at the club on Saturday evening with a Caribbean style buffet and a magnificent band who kept us dancing until late in the evening. Perhaps a little late for some helmsmen!
With a light westerly wind (it never stopped fluctuating!) Sunday's long-distance race for the cruisers got under way. The RO set a somewhat ambitious course taking the fleet to South Kent and one or two dog legs on the way home.
However, the wind filled in and "Chips" led the fleet up river to the finish in good time. Unfortunately, "Chips" rounded the last but one mark incorrectly handing line honours to "Zephyros" (Tim French). Congratulations to the Bailey family (Stuart, Zoe, Ben and Laurence) who were by far the youngest crew.
The Dragons and Sonatas completed both the windward/leeward Sunday races with plenty of wind although the direction of wind was challenging for the RO who moved the windward mark twice. The Dragons had a very close first race with "Still Crazy" just pipping "Suti" (Toby Atack) to the line preventing "Whistle" getting a clean sheet.
The Sonatas had two fantastic starts on Sunday and "White Noise" (Lucian, Johnny and team) had a tremendous battle with "BD2" (Alistair Bolton) who took line honours in both races.
The Squib class had some close racing on Saturday in Gillingham Reach. Five Squibs sailed four races and with three different winners the trophy was up for grabs. It was "Cultra" (Andrew Knatchbull) who took line honours in the final race.
My thanks to the Committee Boat crew for making it such an enjoyable two days for me. The RIBs were tremendous and of course we cannot do this without the competitors. Thank you for taking part and we hope to see you all and others in 2025.
The Regatta Series trophy winners are:
Class 1 YTC - Zephyros
Class 1 IRC - Chips
Class 2 YTC - Brigand
Class 2 IRC - Lo Flyer
Dragons - Whistle
Sonatas - BD2
Squibs - Cultra
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