Despite extreme weather conditions the bank holiday weekend of 24-26 May saw seventeen International Dragons gathered at the Royal Norfolk & Suffolk Yacht Club in Lowestoft for the British Dragon Association East Coast Championship 2008.  Sadly bad weather meant insufficient races could be run to qualify for the Championship but despite this a great time was had by all.  Event Coordinator Peter Stokes brings us the following report from the regatta.

The long range forecast from two weeks before the regatta promised warm sunny weather and medium winds, but that had all happened by Friday, and the first day of sailing on Saturday gave us a warning of what was to follow.  In the event we had a fantastic exciting days' sailing, which everyone, with the exception of a few who had 'incidents', said they really enjoyed. 

Len Jones with 'Rumours' showed what now seems to be his 'normal' boat speed, and, with crew Jamie Lea and Henry Bagnel took both races for minimum points, whilst the newest boat in the event 'Biff' took Tim Tavinor with Thomas and Nicola Wilton, to a close second place overall.  Rob Campbell, after a frantic effort to get 'Quicksilver III' rigged and ready for racing on Saturday morning, improved on a first race 5th to take 2nd in the next to a very creditable third overall, crewed by Matt Walker and Jonathan Hughes. 

On the 'incident front', James Mehew and 'Comanche' got tabbed by a big wave on the run during the second race, which surprised a few, but span him into a 'Chinese gybe' and left him and crew Richard Bailey a little worse for wear, and retired from the regatta.  Norman Blowers with 'Mystere' and Mike Holmes' 'Hand of Fortune' also suffered small, but race ending breakages.  

As we finished the day the wind was getting colder, the sky greyer, and the wind stronger, and that, as they say, was that! 

Sunday dawned grey, not yet wet, but with an average wind of 19 knots showing on the clubs weather station.  PRO Ben Falat and wife Veronica tried hard to find a way we could compete, and with Ian Gray on board, as the class 'weather scrutineer' ventured out to sea to check whether there was a race to be had.  The announcement that racing was 'on' when they returned saw a few nervous glances amongst competitors, and some then started voting with their feet.  In the meantime the average wind speed was continuing to increase, and gusting at over 30 knots - so a 'straw poll' of owners gave Ben 'ammunition' to reverse the earlier decision, and, as the wind was forecast to increase in strength, and with audible sighs of relief all round, racing was abandoned for the day - a correct decision which then allowed everyone to plan for the rest of the day, and enjoy what the club [snooker, TV room, bar and excellent restaurant] and the area has to offer, and to prepare for the evenings 'entertainment'.

Monday was even worse, and 3 to 4 meter breaking seas off the harbour, combined with an average wind speed of 24 knots and gusts to 35 knots meant that racing had to be abandoned for the day, and the Championship was therefore unfortunately lost.

Socially we all had a great time.  The Lowestoft Fleet owners, Adnams [the beer] and Peter Colby [the wine] sponsored and supported a Saturday night party, and new owner Fergal O'Driscoll and partner Julie bravely lent their beachfront home as the venue.  Julie's culinary skills were to the fore, and they took a speculative suggestion, made at our first event planning meeting, to a unique party experience for all.  Food had a local theme, with BBQ'd herring followed by locally landed fish pie, and a chilli for the non fish eaters.  Gail Dickers canapés were fantastic, and Peter Johnsons spicy sausage rolls a revelation!  Special thanks also to Fergal and Julies' offspring and friends, who were 'coerced' into providing a very 'attractive' and proficient waiting service!  To top it all, we had a highly original and humorous duo perform for us, and who managed a 'crowd' participation that saw Tim Tavinor in granny bloomers [now that was a sight to remember!], and the Lowestoft class captain Peter Stokes getting a 'spanking' - if you want any more details, then tough!   

The event dinner on Sunday, which followed a cocktail party given by the Lowestoft fleet owners, had as our Class guests the RNSYC Commodore Roger Knights, and Tim Adjaman [representing local company John Grose Group who sponsored the dinner wine], with their respective partners.  What has become a traditional RNSYC event favourite, beef roast with Yorkshire, was expertly carved by Lowestoft class members, and all had a great night, with Peter Stokes giving a speech on behalf of the Lowestoft fleet, also thanking all those who had helped him and wife Helen in making this such a memorable event - socially if not for the racing! Owen Pay stood up and responded, to calls of "stand up!" followed by the loyal toast proposed by our Commodore.   

We had planned for novelty race and raffle prizes, in addition to race prizes each day, but with only two races we managed only to deplete the stock of daily raffle prizes.  The novelty race prizes were kindly donated by North Sails, and RNSYC Admiral, Norman Blowers, with his crew, won a novelty prize for 'Admirable' Normans attempt to 'walk on water' after being thrown out of his cockpit by one fairly big wave, and Ian Gray and his crew won for being the lightest crew, yet still managing a 4th in the first race.  The champagne raffle prize on the first day went to Nick Faulkner, and on Sunday to Gavia.  At the dinner on Sunday Tim Tavinor drew the raffle for the event 'Star Prize', a spinnaker, generously donated by his company Petticrows, and which went to Mark and Mandy Wade.

Thanks to a very efficient effort by our club manager David Schonhut and his team, the boat 'lift out' was very efficient, and all the visitors were on their trailers within an hour of starting, allowing us an early prize giving, and most on the road home by lunchtime.

At prize giving the Aldeburgh Yacht Club and Royal Norfolk &S YC Trophies went to Len Jones, and the trophy for best performance from a Lowestoft boat went to Chris Dicker, Selina Dicker and Jonathan Webster.  Engraved glass keeper prizes were presented for the overall results, and everyone, competitors and helpers alike went away with at least an engraved glass tumbler as a memento.

We tried our best, but the weather we can't control, and as Owen kindly remarked in his dinner speech "This has been the best East Coast Championship he had attended" - in spite of the weather.  All of the class team here were really pleased to hear that - we have all worked hard to make the event a memorable experience, and we are encouraged for the future.

Finally these events do not come happen without considerable financial sponsorship, and we are once again indebted to Aberdeen Asset Management for their invaluable support, and to aerospace company STG Aerospace, and top Norfolk based marketing consultants Barker Johnson Peal, for their race day sponsorship.

Please Click Here For Race Results

 

Peter Stokes
Dragon Class Captain
Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club