It was a glorious weather for Horning Sailing Club’s Open Dinghy Weekend, seeing its best turnout for a number of years. Over the weekend Toppers, Lasers, Splashes, Enterprises, a National 12, an RS Feva and a Norfolk Dinghy sailed on Hoveton Little Broad. Saturday afternoon saw the start of the event with close racing in a moderate breeze, which provided exciting conditions for competitors. With two beats on the course it was very much tactical racing. Particularly competitive were the Toppers, with James Street, Abbey Penny, Angus White and Hamish Harmer vying for line honours.
Both Allcomers B races on Saturday were won by Edward Wildman sailing his Laser. Sunday’s first race was won by Kevin Edwards crewed by daughter Pippa in Norfolk Dinghy Minnie, with elder daughter Ellie second in her Splash. The next race was won by visitors Tim and Emma Hampshire in their National 12, having travelled from North Yorkshire to participate, with Jonas Osborn taking second place sailing his Laser. The third race was won by Ellie, with Oscar Norris second. Overall, it was Edward Wildman who won the Allcomers B Class over the weekend, taking the Onyx Barometer, Hannant Tankard and Tino Trophy.
The Toppers remained close all weekend, with wins from James Street (races 1 & 2), Hamish Harmer (Sunday race 1), and Abbey Penny (Sunday race 2) after James was disqualified for not having completed the race, with the results dependent on the outcome of the final race. Eventually it was James who finished first, to win the Class Overall and the Cadet Cup and Kingfisher Trophy.
Four of the five Enterprise races were won by Jack Copping, crewed by Thomas Wildman, in Timshel, winning the Flying Enterprise Trophy, Cadet Trophy, Broads Area Trophy (for helms under 20) and the Flirtatious Cup for helm and crew, with the remaining race won by Kevin Edwards crewed by Oliver Childerhouse.
Sunday saw competitors joined by more visitors and the turnout peak at 23 boats. It was particularly encouraging that, over the weekend, several sailors raced for the first time in sailing boats acquired during the previous week!