EXCELLENT conditions and plenty of sunshine allowed the 164th Jersey Electricity Gorey Regatta to sail ahead without a hitch last weekend.
Both days began with calm seas and limp flags. However, by the time Bill Harris, director of the Regatta, and his team got into action, the wind picked up to a zephyr.
The favourable weather enabled nearly all of the scheduled handicap races to go ahead, with the only omission being the windfoiling races.
Light airs provided a great test of tactical sailing skills. Skippers of all ages rose to the occasion, meeting the challenge head on against a backdrop of sombre black clouds that fortunately evaded the racing arena.
The main honours in the cruiser and multi-hull races were shared by Filipene (Nick Bailhache’s Moody 31) and Sunbeam (Justin Horton’s Kelsall Suncat 30), who took home three trophies each.
Super Q (Julian Barber’s Farr 727) and The Dog’s (Allen Brown’s Melges 24), won two apiece.
In the dayboats, Ben Jones’ Baloo won the series of three races on Saturday.
While Will Carnegie’s Soda took the honours in the two races on Sunday, in one of the races Carnegie managed to record an identical finishing time as previously posted by his 84-year-old father, Peter, in Pod.
For the dinghy classes, Kai Surcouf won three trophies in his Laser, and single awards went to Henry Edwards (Feva XL), Charlie Hewgill (Optimist), Marc Haslam (Laser), Paula Boyle (RS Aero 7), Pete Raimbault (Laser) and Ollie Haslam (Laser 4.7).
Sponsors Jersey Electricity were represented by Kate Gosson, head of customer experience, at the prize-giving dinner at the Dolphin Hotel.
Gosson said: “We are proud to sponsor the regatta and be a part of its long heritage.”
Various staff members from JE were able to go out and see the racing action at close quarters on a RIB, kindly provided by Gorey boat-owner Tony Able.
Gorey Regatta Association Captain Justin Horton, thanked JE for their continued sponsorship and also paid tribute to the work of his committee, the race starters, timekeepers, beach crew and the safety crews, who all helped the event run smoothly.
Horton concluded the formalities by announcing that 14-year-old Ollie Haslam had been awarded the Morning Cloud Trophy, a special award given at the discretion of the GRA Captain, for the outstanding sportsmanship he had shown during the event.
CRUISERS/MULTIHULLS
Filipene (Nick Bailhache) Betty Bruce Challenge Cup, 150th Regatta Trophy & C Austin Potter Cup; Sunbeam (Justin Horton) Fairey Cup, Horton Trophy & Yangtze Cup; Super Q (Julian Barber) De Faye Memorial Trophy & Commodore’s Cup; The Dog’s (Allen Brown) Glendewar Challenge Cup & Stevens Centenary Challenge Cup
DAYBOATS
Baloo (Ben Jones) Orviss Challenge Cup; Soda (Will Carnegie) Frank Jeune Trophy.
DINGHIES
Henry Edwards (Feva XL) Fifth Gorey Cup; Kai Surcouf (Laser) Assinder Cup, Norman Challenge Cup & Gorey Cup; Charlie Hewgill (Optimist) Ecrehos Trophy; Marc Haslam (Laser) Fourth Gorey Cup; Paula Boyle (RS Aero 7) Marmotier Trophy; Pete Raimbault (Laser) Perchard Memorial Cup; Ollie Haslam (Laser 4.7) Rosel Bowl.
MORNING CLOUD TROPHY
Ollie Haslam (Laser 4.7).
