It was another busy weekend at Horning Sailing Club on 30th September/1st October, with two events taking place. Saturday afternoon saw the start of the Yeoman and Kinsman Broadland National Championships, attracting several visiting sailors from nearby Norfolk Broads Yacht Club and further afield from Coldham Hall Sailing Club. With racing taking place on Hoveton Little Broad, the first mission was to make it to the Broad, with competitors treated to the sight of five wherries majestically making their way back to Wroxham en route, not your everyday sight! Once on the Broad, Saturday saw light winds, conditions favouring those flying spinnakers – Roger and Cari Hannant sailing Firefly making it two 1sts out of two races. With two 2nd places were Chris Bolton and Hamish Harmer in Folly, whilst Ben Adams sailing Panope and Toby Fields (Tanskey) took a 3rd place each. On Sunday, the conditions were much better with a steadier breeze, and it was encouraging to see a number of boats in the fleet being helmed (and crewed) by the next generation - Horning’s young sailors (aged under 18). Sunday saw Chris (Folly Too) take a further two wins and a 2nd place for 2nd Overall, but it was not enough to knock Roger Hannant off the top spot, who won the weekend Overall with another 1st and a 3rd position. 3rd Overall was Ben Adams (Panope) with a 2nd, 3rd and 4th place, with Toby Fields (Tanskey) 4th Overall, and first non-spinnaker flying boat. A 4th and three 5ths saw Paul Clarke 5th Overall in the competitive fleet, with Steve Middleditch 6th Overall.
Meanwhile, on the river, club racing took place. With the majority of Yeomans up on the Broad, it was a little quieter, but still enjoyed by those taking part. In the Reedlings, Robert Hancock and Tom Roberts (Siskin) were 1st, with Brian Levy and Barbara Stevens (Osiris) 2nd. The Rebels were competitive, with the morning races won by Peter & Joe Brown (Rebel Rothay) and Kim West/Robin Holmes (Rebel) respectively, the afternoon fleet race won by Kim. In the dinghies, Hamish Harmer & Anya Gittins had made it back from racing the Yeomans to sail the afternoon races, Hamish winning both races.
Next weekend sees the Club’s Autumn Regatta take place on Hoveton Little Broad.