Horning Sailing Club’s inaugural new Autumn Passage Race took place on Saturday 21 October in a brisk breeze. Despite the challenging conditions, the race was thoroughly enjoyed by competitors.
With the forecast earlier in the week looking less than favourable due to the arrival of Storm Babet, this did somewhat dampen enthusiasm and entries, but thankfully the weather turned out much better than planned and the mixed fleet of Cruisers and Yeomans, including a number of visiting sailors, enjoyed a competitive sail and, once back at the clubhouse, a welcome roast dinner.
Beginning from Woods Dyke in Horning, the course saw sailors leave Horning and make their way to Thurne Mouth, then across a transit line towards Upton Dyke before sailing back to Horning. With the wind behind them on the return leg, competitors steamed through Horning Street on a run - the first boat, River Cruiser Ladybird helmed by Ben Knight, making it back after just over two hours sailing, closely followed by River Cruiser Wandering Rose, helmed by Steve Burton. However, on handicap, the winner was John Holmes sailing River Cruiser Sabrina 2, with Ladybird second and Wandering Rose third overall. It seems it was a day for the cruisers, with these dominating the first six results. First Yeoman, and 7th overall, was Steve Middleditch sailing Scorpio, followed by the young team of James Street, William Woolston and Hamish Harmer (all under 18) in Yeoman Endor.
With just over half-an- hour separating the first and last finisher on handicap, it was an exciting day’s racing to enjoy the rivers of the Broads.
