On Sunday 21^st July 84 boats set out from Blackwater Sailing Club on a warm afternoon to take part in the annual Round the Islands races. 54 entered the main dinghy race around Osea and Northey and 22 the short course around Northey. 8 cruisers joined in and raced around Osea. The entry fee was a donation to the RNLI and much to the delight of local Vice Chairman, Ken Harrison, we raised a fantastic £447.04 for our local lifeboat stations.

The 37 medium handicap boats started first in a gentle force 3-4 westerly breeze with a short port tack down wind leg to Ballast Hole which was very congested with the boats 10 deep. The fleet gybed onto starboard to a broad reach which gradually became a run as they passed south of Osea. Another gybe at the eastern end of Osea then a fetch becoming a beat around the north of Osea. The wind gradually backed to south westerly and freshened as the fleet passed through the gate over the Osea causeway. The shifty gusty wind freshened to force 4-5 at times as boats raced to the south of Northey.

The fast handicap started 20 minutes after the medium but some managed to hunt down and pass most of the medium fleet. It was great to see such a large fleet of boats out on the river and bodes well for our upcoming Cadet and Club week.

Results:

Round the Islands - dinghies:

1^st Mark Maskell and Nigel Sheppard - Fireball – Jubilee Goblet

2^nd Andy McIvor and Tracy Haigh – Laser 2000 - Vincett Wings trophy

3^rd Guy and Alison Welch - Snipe

Round Northey:

1^st Jamie Norman – Laser Radial

2^nd Kane Gooch – Laser Radial

3^rd Julie Nelson and Harrison Gooch – Mirror – Round Northey Spoon

For the full results click RTI Results

Photos © Zoe Nelson and Rob Haigh