Sunday saw Horning Sailing Club’s Open Downriver Race series continue, with several sailors taking part for the first time – enjoying all that the Club (and sailing) had to offer. With the forecast for very warm temperatures and extremely light winds, racing was planned to start from Horning Waterworks, closer to the eventual destination of Thurne Dyke. Thankfully, the wind picked up to provide a pleasant breeze and the first boats - River Cruisers - made it to Thurne in a little over an hour’s sailing and were even joined by a Wherry or two on the river! First over the water and on handicap was Peter Goshawk’s Grayling, followed by George Brewis’s Amantani. The mixed keelboat fleet saw a variety of Yeomans, Yare & Bures and Rebels participate, with Yeomans taking the top three positions - Allan Dornan’s Nimrod first on handicap, with Steve Middleditch’s Yeoman Scorpio just a few seconds behind, and third was Roger Lambourn’s Hornet. Amongst the dinghies, Hamish Harmer sailing his Splash made it a win on the downward leg, with Chris Woods’ Wanderer second and Martin Bulldeath’s Miracle third.
The return leg was also finished at the Waterworks, and was an extremely quick sail, the first boats arriving after some 45 minutes – and, to the surprise of some competitors, “we didn’t have to tack at all” – the wind being behind sailors all the way. Peter Goshawk made it another win in Grayling, with Phil Montague in Pickle second, and in third place was Jeremy Tusting helming Arundhati. Amongst the keelboats, Peter Coles sailing Rebel Chieftain was first over the water and on handicap, with Scorpio second and Yare & Bure Moon Moth, helmed by James Street, third. The dinghies saw Hamish take another win, with the Wanderer and Miracle swapping positions.
