KSSA Opening Splash at Medway Yacht Club

KSSA Opening Splash Regatta © Mike Spurgin

KSSA Opening Splash Regatta © Mike Spurgin

Youth sailors in Kent were out in force for the KSSA Opening Splash on 25th April at Medway Yacht Club. Thirty-eight sailors from clubs across the county entered, with experience ranging from those participating in their first regatta to others who have raced at national level. The format for the day was two races back-to-back in the morning and the same again after lunch, an average lap trapezoid course catering for the Optimist through to the RS200.

Race 1 involved beating against the last of the ebb tide with the Laser Radial of George Hyett being the fastest boat for the first two laps, fending off the challenge from Stanley Chick (Radial) and Julia Judd/Mark Lightbody (RS200). The Toppers completed four laps, the faster boats five laps, but it was three well-sailed Toppers that took the top positions on corrected time.

Race 2 followed a similar pattern, with Morgan Archer (Topper) and Emma Crane (Topper) placed first and second respectively again.

All the sailors and duty crew came ashore for a pasta bake lunch as the sun came out. It was warm enough for sailors to sit out on the grass bank watching all the other boating activity on the river.

By the start of Race 3 the wind had built to Force 4 and the wind over tide conditions added a different dimension. A good few boats capsized round the course mainly on the downwind leg but only three of the starters in that race were unable to complete the course. Toppers took the first five places.

Although it was coming up to 4pm, against the odds, Race Officer Tim Townsend managed to squeeze in a fourth race so as not to waste the almost perfect sailing conditions. Medway Yacht Club's George Jones secured his best result of the day (4th) making him the highest-placed MYC boat overall.

The winner of the event was Morgan Archer from Blue Circle Sailing Club, who retained the trophy for the second year in succession, unbeaten in any of the races.

Thank you to our hosts, Medway Yacht Club, and the army of volunteers both ashore and afloat for making it such an enjoyable event.

Overall Results: