A fantastic regatta day set the scene for a memorable Club Week 2021 which ran from 22 to 27 August. We had great sailing winds for most of the week including two days when the wind was gusting F6 which tested the heavy weather skills or our sailors and kept our safety fleet busy. We had 122 boats racing crewed by 202 sailors and started 75 races during the week. There were 999 starters in those races with an average of 13 boats in each race. The largest fleet was the Medium Handicap which had 12 different classes and 29 boats, then the Lasers with 24, then the Mirrors with 16 and the Wayfarers with 14. During the week there were 40 different race winners. It was great to see so many of our cadets taking part across the fleets and in many cases beating the adults! At the end of the week, the winner of each class took part in a race series in Toppers on our training lake to decide the Cock O’ the Club – this was won by Fireball sailor Charlie Stewart.

Hot and cold food was available throughout the week from our catering galley and this was complemented by record sales at our newly completed bar and a great range of social events. These included a gin night, a quiz night, the Commodore’s supper with a best of British Theme and a last night party night with Thai food and dancing to the Redwood band.

All in all, one of our best club weeks for years and many thanks to all our staff and volunteers who worked so hard to make it such a safe and successful event.

Congratulations to our winners from each class:

Optimist: Callum Marshall “Victory”

Mirror: Any & Florence Pickering “Blue”

Topper/Tera: Jessica Taylor – Topper

Fireball – Charlie Stewart & Sue Gibson “Walkabout 3”

Fast Cruiser – John Dyer & crew “Breezy”

Medium Handicap – Guy & Alison welch – Snipe

Laser – Aimee Taylor – Laser Radial

Wayfarer – Martyn Hare & Steve Perkins “Pickle”

Sprite – Hilary Gallo & Clem Evans – Sprite 33

Club Cruiser – Paul & Evelyn Su “Sea Urchin”

Full results for the week can be found on our results page: https://blackwatersailingclub.org.uk/BSC-Race-results/10256832

Photos © Ian Johnson, Belinda Sturge & Nigel Butler