Horning Sailing Club enjoyed a great weekend over 14/15th May with plenty of activity on the water.
Saturday saw a Single-Handed Open take place, with Toppers, Lasers, Splashes and a Solo taking part. Although the winds were light, warm sunshine made racing pleasant, despite an unexpected capsize or two and some chaos from dayboats on the river. After four races, and some very close racing, Abbey Penny won the six-strong Topper fleet overall, counting a win and two second places, whilst Anya Gittins was tied on points with Jasper Richardson, with a win in the last race edging her into second position with a win and two thirds, as opposed to Jasper’s win, second and fourth. Lily Herring also took a win to come fourth overall. Amongst the Lasers, Splashes and Solos, three wins from four races led to first overall for Chris Bolton in his Solo, with James Street in his Laser second overall with a first, second and fourth, and Hamish Harmer third overall in his Splash, with two seconds and a fourth.
Meanwhile Sunday saw Club racing continue on the river despite the weather being overcast and humid. The breeze had also picked up from Saturday, providing favourable conditions. The changeable winds also provided a few challenges, with some competitors becoming becalmed at various points.
The first Reedling race saw the boats evenly matched up the river to the first mark, before Robert Hancock in Siskin broke away to lead from Kevin Saunders in Cockatrice. The day also provided a lesson in reading the course correctly for some, with the lead Yeoman, Geoff Stubbs (Tara), some margin ahead, before taking the wrong course and doing an extra lap, allowing Paul Clarke (Two C Sons) and Toby Fields (Tanskey) to battle it out to the finish – the race eventually won by Two C Sons, who would also go on to win the afternoon race. Tara won the second morning race, with Tanskey second. The Yare & Bure morning races saw both Alastair Fields (Rosy Wave) and Jack Copping (Scarce Copper) take a win each, with Jack Barnham (Rebel H) taking two wins in the Rebels. In the afternoon, the fleet was joined by Phil Storey sailing Rebel Rascal, who went on to win. There was again a strong contingent of dinghies, with Anya Gittins (Topper) and Harrison Ryder (Splash) each taking a win in their respective Allcomers C & B fleets in the first race, Anya repeating this in the second, and Hamish Harmer in his Splash winning the B fleet. By the afternoon, Anya made it a third win, and Hamish a second win.
Next weekend sees an Open Downriver race to Thurne, with all welcome – including visiting sailors. There will be a briefing for competitors at 9.30am in the Clubhouse on Sunday morning but we would be grateful if anyone intending to enter could please email racing@horning-sailing.club. Preparations are also well underway for the 61st Yachtmaster Insurance Three Rivers Race which takes place over the weekend 28/29th May, starting from HSC.