By Tony Hopkins
Richard, Rodger and Bryan had sailed at the regatta on Saturday and Bryan had towed the 2 dinghies back to the club in the evening with the Aquarius patrol boat.
On Sunday morning bright and early Roger set off in his Bosun and Bryan towed his Graduate while Richard and I sailed Richard’s Signet downstream to Hampton, conditions then were very varied.
After tying up at Hampton we had free coffee and biscuits and waited for our start. There were separate starts, at 10 minute intervals, for four classes The 3 Aquarius boats were in the handicap class which was the third start.
We got off to a reasonable start and very soon there were boats capsizing all over the course and the sailing was fun! Richard and I managed a 5th place. Bryan retired as lack of buoyancy in his Graduate made him fear the worst. Roger had a very young Hampton novice for crew in this race.
After a rest and very nice lunch we were back on the river for the start of the second race, Richard got a great start and timed it perfectly as we were first across the line, conditions were very blustery making the race very hard work; we had a very good race and managed a first place.
After a short break for tea and biscuits we were back on the water for the last race of the day. Conditions were just as hectic and after some harrowing moments we finished in third place. Bryan crewed for Roger in the Bosun and ended up with some water in the bottom of the dinghy and a fifth place; Bryan had wet feet!
After a splendid tea of sandwiches and cake it was time for the prize giving and thanks to Richard we were third overall in the handicap class and first visitor for which we received engraved glass tankards. Roger and Bryan were fifth overall.
As we departed with the club patrol boat towing the 3 Aquarius boats the Hampton contingent gave us a good cheer and waved us off. A great days sailing!
By Richard Cannon
The Hampton Regatta had a terrible weather forecast; very wet. Fortunately, although there was some rain, it didn’t spoil the event.
On Saturday Richard Cannon in his Signet with crew Rodger Wheeler, and Bryan Clements in his Graduate entered. The 5-
Sunday was very different; the 15 to 25 knot (force 4 to 6) SW wind was extremely gusty and fluky.
Rodger took his Bosun and Tony Hopkins crewed for Richard. In the morning a HSC junior member crewed for Rodger and Bryan retired. In the afternoon Bryan crewed for Rodger.
The handicap fleet of 11 boats included 3 Comet Versas, 2 Lasers, a Solo and 2 Toppers plus our Bosun, Signet and Graduate. The other class starts were GP14 (7 boats), Merlin (8) and Enterprise (11), a total of 37 boats gave a very crowded reach.
Sailing was very exciting with many capsizes, but none for Aquarius boats. In the handicap fleet Richard and Tony won the 1st afternoon race and were 3rd overall, Rodger and Bryan were 5th overall.
Hampton Sailing Club Regatta 30 June/1 July 2007