EAORA Offshore Regatta 2017

Posted: Sunday, 9th July 2017

The EAORA Offshore Regatta was raced over 4 days starting on Thursday the 6th of July from Harwich with a race to Oostende. While there was a reasonable breeze for the first part of the race as the yachts neared the Belgian coast the wind died. Then picked up and then died again, a frustrating time for the crews, especially as they were hit with a squally thunderstorm that flattened many boats. Sail changes were happening every 10 minutes as boats reduced sail before the squall cleared and boats headed to the finish line as the tide tried to take them the opposite direction in a dying wind.

Magic Moments retired after the squall with a damaged Mainsail, and as darkness fell they were followed by Zero Gravitas and Golden Fleece. The last finisher of the race was Lyra of London crossing the line just after Midnight.

With a well-deserved lay day in Oostende on Friday, the second race started on Saturday morning to Ramsgate. The wind was 15 knots northerly giving the fleet a good start and a quick race with everyone finished by 19.00.

The third race on Sunday 9th July from Ramsgate to Harwich completed the triangle and was the best race of all, in fantastic sunshine and warm winds. Starting with a reasonable breeze, got the yachts up to Fishermans Gat and then built into a consistent wind which enabled everyone to be finished by 1730. 

Prize giving was held at the Haven Ports Yacht Club before the crews headed for home.

The overall winners were

1st ApeX, Robert Leggett.

2nd  Eclipse, Des Cowan

3rd Charlie Don't Surf, Adrian & David Gibbons.

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