Last Saturday, as part of the Ditsum Regatta, Dittisham Sailing Club ran the annual open event for dinghies, keel boats, gaffers and small cruisers. 

The wind blew strongly from the east, which resulted in exciting but also challenging conditions for the racing. First off were the gaffers and keel boats.

Their course had been set up to Duncannon, but in view of the conditions it was shorted to Blackness with more rounds.

Unfortunately, John Wynn, sailing Swallow, misunderstood this instruction and despite being well ahead at the time had to retire.

Also in trouble was Sally Christensen, who unfortunately found the shallows of Tea Leaf Bay and did not finish.

In the end, after a long tussle, it was two local DSC Shrimpers that took line honours with Edward Wheeler in Shabby, crewed by James Sellicks, winning from Mike and Penny Oliffe-Lee in Morwenna.

Third were Brian and Estelle Budden from Rock, in their Cornish yawl Annabelle. 

The dinghies had two races, with the first being a pursuit for the Anchorstone Cup.

Here the slowest boat starts first and the fastest last. The race runs for an hour and at the end of this time the results are decided based on the finishing order.

Sue and Martin Thomas, both in Laser 4.7's, made a good start, followed by Mike Bennett and Brian Perks in their Devon yawl. He overtook Martin, but could not catch Sue, who was sailing well in the tough conditions.

With only a few minutes to run, Laser sailors Pete Joscelyne and Martin Ely both were gaining ground and at the end of the race Pete Joscelyne was first, Sue Thomas second and Martin Ely third. 

The start of the second race, a handicap for the Blackness Cup, proved to be full of incidents. The RS Feva of Neil Millward capsized on the line attempting a risky port tack start.

Jonathan Weeks and Patrick Bromley, sailing an Albacore, were forced to do a 720 penalty and capsized in the still strong wind.

All this happened at the same time as the two gaffers crossed the line on give way port tack!

Pete Joscelyne again sailed fast, relishing the strong wind, and built up a substantial lead. He finished well ahead to gain a second win, with Sue Thomas also taking a well deserved second place again. Third place went to Devon yawl sailor Mike Bennett, crewed by Brian Perks. 

Dttisham Regatta results

Gaffers

1 E Wheeler,Shabby, The Wynn Trophy. 2 M and P Olliffe-Lee, Morwenna, Gaffers Grog Trophy.3 B and E Budden,Annabelle.

 

Anchorstone Cup Pursuit

1 P Joscelyne, Laser. 2 S Thomas, Laser 4.7. 3 M Ely, Laser.

 

Blackness Cup Handicap

1 P Joscelyne, Laser. 2 S Thomas, Laser 4.7. 3 M Bennett and B Perks, Devon Yawl.

 

The next racing at Dittsham will be taking place on Sunday, August 19, starting at 10am.