As with the Cecil Howard Memorial Race the previous weekend, numbers were down for this event: probably due to a combination of the early running of the YNR and the very windy forecast. Unusually, we had neap tides with midday low waters, instead of the usual spring tides with water topping over the bank at lunchtime. This also meant the crossing times for Breydon were inconvenient, which may also have contributed to the low turnout.

The OOD, Tom Moore, had some understandable hesitation about running the Junior Race on Saturday morning, given the strong wind, but the crews were game and, having all put reefs in, set off to have a go. Jasper Richardson on Ladybird handled the gusting conditions very competently and well deserved the win over Daniel Bull, helming Halcyon (a first time visitor to this event). Unfortunately, removing just the topsail was not a big enough reduction in sail for Farthing and they wisely decided to retire.

Having watched the morning race, there was little enthusiasm for sailing the pursuit race in the afternoon and the call was made to postpone it to the next day, with the idea that both the other races could be fitted into the afternoon and also in the belief that the wind, while still forecast to be around 15mph, would not be as strong and gusty.

First thing, this seemed to be the case and all ten boats set out for the pursuit race, with Evergreen being the first to leave at 10am and Vixen just a minute behind her. Everyone had reefs in, which was just as well, as the wind soon built to around 18mph and a very gusty and fluky sail ensued, making conditions extremely challenging throughout.

This quickly proved too much for Tinkerbell, who retired early on, leaving the first two yachts to sail around in isolation for much of the 100 minutes. Vixen never managed to catch Evergreen, who led throughout to take the win. Towards the end, the pack were catching the front two boats, but only Ladybird managed to slip past Vixen around five minutes from the end to take second place.

It had been an exhausting morning and the OOD decided as a result to run just one more race in the afternoon. Nevertheless, only five boats went out again in the still windy, but not quite as bad, conditions. Ladybird and Starlight Lady sailed most of the course in tandem at the front, with the latter only being able to overtake during the last lap. In the second start, Wandering Rose comfortably led Sabrina 2 around the course to take third place, while the solitary third start boat, Evergreen, sailed round in isolation to take second place on corrected time.

Ladybird was the clear winner, though and also the yacht which had looked most comfortable in the conditions throughout the weekend. As a result she also won the John Mann Trophy as best boat built before 1940 and the Nelson Trophy as overall winner. This latter was very close, though: with both Ladybird and Evergreen having a first and second place, it had to be decided on ‘best last race.’

With the sailing safely out of the way, it was time for the prize giving. After the above trophies had been presented, the Diamond Jubilee Trophy for the season series was presented to Vixen, followed by the awarding of the Yare Autumn Cruiser Series trophies. This year, only three boats got a result in all three events, meaning that Sabrina 2 conducted a successful defence and Starlight Lady was again second. Wandering Rose was awarded the trophy for best placed medium handicap boat.

The raffola then took place, followed by the special draw to win two tickets to a Rugby Union Premier League match of the winner’s choice. This prize was kindly donated by our insurers, Gallagher, who also sponsor the rugby league. The lucky winner was Brian Wilkins.