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The plan was for three races on Friday and Saturday and two on the Sunday.  At the briefing on Friday, the breeze was proving very light and concerning but as the crews got out to the boats a dominant sea breeze filled in at 10 – 12 kts straight up the river allowing PRO Patrick Gifford and his team to set the start line some 500m from the moorings giving a ¾ mile beat on a true windward leeward course down river.  Three roughly 45 minute races were closely fought with much position changing on both the up and down wind legs.  The first leg of the first day saw difficulty for Andy Moss who arrived at the spreader mark, and found it a little closer than expected or intended to the mud, forcing the rest of the fleet to thread the needle between the mark and Hands Off. Friday places were dominated by Quentin Strauss in Whistle who scored 2 firsts and a third , followed up by Rick Gillingham’s Navaho 764 and Andy Moss in Hands off 760.

Saturday morning provided another very consistent wind – 8 to 10 kts with a little more east in it. Patrick took the fleet another mile down the river and again set a windward leeward course for three more races where the tide and shallow water played a bit into tactics.   Whistle and Navaho dominated again managing consistent result with a 1,2,3 each with Tim Hannon, Basilisk 515, managing to find some speed and tactics to take a 1,2,5.  In all the races again there was frequent positions changing right through the fleet with competition still very hot on the water. Saturday evening saw a supper hosted by the club for most of the competitors.

Sunday saw an earlier start time of 10am, As the boats headed down the start area the breeze was freshening the whole time and fairly consistently about 20kts with some prolonged gusts of 24kts. Two boats had taken the decision not to race through injury and wind strength leaving 6 starters.  Patrick again set a fair windward leeward course of three rounds.  The racing was tough in a strong breeze with boat handling really tested, with frequent position changing on each leg.  Whistle again dominated the results with two wins, Basilisk scored a 2nd and a 3^rd. Navaho got a 3rd and 4th and Hands Off a 4th and a 2nd (just beating Basilisk on the line by about 500mm courtesy of a torn genoa)

The return to the club saw the visitors quickly craned out and put in trailers followed by the prize giving.  It was great to manage to fit eight races into three days with a broad variety of conditions.

Tim Hannon (Dragon Class Captain)

There were twelve entries in total including three visitor boats joining the home fleet — a healthy turnout for so early in the season. Saturday’s races made full use of the tides to head upriver and the course did not disappoint. The windward mark was set around one of the river’s sharp bends, hard against a strong flood. The beat became a test of tactical decision-making and short-tacking skills close to the bank, producing plenty of place-changing over three races.
A superb buffet dinner was held in the clubhouse on the Saturday evening. The Flying Fifteens were joined by the Wayfarer fleet, who were holding their own Open, and more than forty sailors sat down together at one long table, making it a lively night.

Sunday’s racing moved downriver, just below the Martello Tower, with two windward–leeward races in more open water — a fine contrast to Saturday’s racing.
When the results were tallied, the visitors claimed the top two places on the podium. Justin and Amanda Waples (RCYC) took the title, with Chris and Emma Sparks (Waldringfield) in second.
Throughout the weekend the racing was keen but the spirit was exactly right: competitive but good natured and above all enjoyable.

Visitor boats are always warmly welcomed at Aldeburgh and we have two more events scheduled in the diary: the AYC Spring Regatta runs on 23–24 May and the Summer Regatta takes place from 23–28 August. Come and join us for some close racing, good company and stunning river sailing.

Report written by Olly Scott, AYC Flying Fifteen Class Captain