Horning Sailing Club’s 2023 season began on Sunday, with a fresh breeze and plenty of action on the River Bure outside the Clubhouse. The day’s racing provided a great opportunity to blow the cobwebs away, the NE wind creating a run down the river and beat back to the Clubhouse. Despite the less than favourable forecast, this did not dampen enthusiasm and thankfully the predicted rain (apart from a very short sharp sprinkling) did not materialise. As a result, almost 20 boats, including nearly 10 dinghies, enjoyed an early season sail.
The first series saw several sailors so keen to be back on the water that they added an extra lap to their course! Another had a quick pit stop to pick up a forgotten buoyancy aid, and one practised an early man overboard drill with a dropped item of clothing! Despite these challenges, good racing was enjoyed in the gusty conditions, with Toby Fields in Tanskey winning in the Yeomans, Kevin Saunders in Silver Cloud winning the Yare & Bures/Rebels, and Anya Gittins (Topper) taking a win amongst the dinghies.
By the second morning series, the breeze had picked up further and the sunshine was attempting to make an appearance. The Yeoman fleet were particularly close, with Paul Clarke in Two C’Sons leading by a good margin to the finish, until he decided to sail an additional lap, allowing the remainder of the fleet through, this unintentional lap resulting in Geoff Stubbs sailing Tara taking the win. Silver Cloud took another first in the Yare & Bures.
Racing was lively in the dinghy fleet – with plenty of capsizes, and even an unintended mast drop from a Topper. Chris Bolton sailing his Laser took the win in this fleet, with Anya second and Tallulah Burr (Laser Radial) third.
During the afternoon, the dinghies remained the keenest fleet, by now enjoying planing up and down in the gusts. The third race was won by Hamish Harmer sailing his Splash, with Anya second and third Lily Herring in her Topper. The fourth race was won by Chris Bolton in his Laser. Amongst the keelboats, the third Yeoman race was won by Paul Clarke in Two C’Sons, and the Yare & Bures by Alastair Fields in Rosy Wave.
Overall, it was a great day back on the water – with plenty of activity, even if a little chilly! Next weekend sees racing continue on the River.
