In a hard-fought but very sporting contest at Wroxham in White Boats 2018 on Saturday 1 September, the Society defeated the NBYC by 3 races to 2. Our correspondent and team captain George Harston reports:
Sunshine and a light south-easterly breeze greeted the O&CSS team at the Norfolk Broads Yacht Club for this annual team racing match in Yare and Bure One Designs. Sailing soon got underway on a standard ‘digital-2’ team racing course under the direction of Race Officer (and Society member) Anthony Landamore, plus his excellent support team.
Details
After a practice race had gone the way of the hosts, racing proper got underway in the best-of-five series. With a promising start the Society established an early lead, only to be out-sailed by their hosts who took a comfortable 1, 2 win by the finish line. However, the Society were not to be deterred and came back with a solid 1, 3, 4 in the second race. This race was notable for strong family rivalry between the Harston brothers, who were sailing on opposing sides.
By the third race the Society had established their momentum and took a second win with a 1, 4, 5 The fleet was once again led round the course by White Boat Sonia, ably sailed by Jamie Reid and Giles Bradford. With the series win in sight, the Society were unable to secure the fourth race, and NBYC levelled the series. This was secured with a masterly 2, 3, 4 – achieved mainly by some solid team racing on the final beat.
The Final Race
With everything hanging on the final race the Society found themselves in a 1, 5, 6 combination at mark three. But the hosts had not counted on the team racing skills of Alistair Rose. He ‘shut the door’ on an NBYC boat at the mark – exacting a penalty spin and bringing the O&CSS back into the game. Some aggressive team racing on the final beat saw Nick Copley and Jamie Reid power into third and fourth places to complete a 1, 3, 4 on the finish line and enable the Society to take the Stewart Morris Trophy for the first time in 6 years.
Match Racing
After typically warm NBYC hospitality at lunch, half the sailors decided to run a short match racing competition in the afternoon. The final of ten races saw George Harston taking ultimate victory in a gripping contest against Jamie Reid.
Teams:
OCSS: George Harston, Nick Copley, Alistair Rose, Sarah Harston, Jamie Reid, Giles Bradford
NBYC: David Talbot, Henry Harston, Ben Knight, Malcolm Kemp, Ian Richardson, Simon Barker
Photographs
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Well done to George and team. It is a fiendishly difficulty match to win!