Northants Police Open Regatta

2011
There will be no Northants Open Regatta this year


 

2010

Northamptonshire Police Open
Dinghy Regatta
Pitsford Reservoir, N
r Brixworth
Wednesday, 13th October, 2010

In the first police dinghy regatta to include entries from the Emergency Services, a total of 22 boats took part representing 9 organisations. A number of police forces supported in goodly numbers. From a gloriously breezy 24˚C at the previous weekend, competitors dressed accordingly for the 13˚C temperature to take part in the light and varied conditions which never got above 12mph for all the races. The conditions made for close racing and a knowledge of the rules important. There were 11 Lasers. For the first time two new boat classes to police regattas were seen; Pete Walters with his recently acquired RS100 and Malcolm Dykes in Avon's new Laser Bahia.

During the first race, the regatta was treated to a 10 minute fly-past above the reservoir from a Vulcan bomber accompanied by some local flying talent. Suffice to say that this additional spectacle was not planned but welcomed all the same. The local media has it that this could possibly have been the 60 year old Vulcan's last flight as the cost of maintenance has become higher than the monies raised. So maybe competitors could someday claim that "they were there"...

Race One: T B W D C
Boats got away got away well in a reasonable breeze which slowly faded throughout the race making helms concentrate on the windshifts. On the water Simon Hawkes (Phantom) soon got ahead of the fleet with Walters in the RS100 and Adrian Sherratt (Merlin Rocket) in pursuit. A whole gaggle of Lasers made up the middle of the fleet with their lead continually changing. It evidently paid not to have had too heartier a breakfast as the lighter weight helms gained from the light conditions. The fleet soon spread out requiring the Race Officer to limit the laps completed by some competitors in the race which took over an hour for some boats. At the finish it was Hawkes who was well ahead winning by over 5 minutes on corrected time from Ken Daniels (Phantom) second and Pete Walters third. Paul Franklin (Leics) eventually kept the rest of the Lasers at bay but it was a close run finish with Roger Glass (Met) and Dick Sivers (Northants) only just behind.

Race Two: T P W D C
- after lunch and the wind had changed from NNE to WNW, so buoy positions were altered as was the course. Wind strength remained somewhat light and whilst the faster rated boats completed 3 laps, the rest of the fleet managed only 2 laps in a race time approaching the hour. The light winds did not prevent Glass managing to capsize on the gybe at 'W' and still finish as the leading Laser with local helm Steve Middleditch finishing just behind. On corrected time the Phantoms took first and second with the RS100 third. Pete Muggleton & Jeremy Summers (Leics.) in the Fireball had their best result of the regatta.

Race Three: T B P W D C
- held back-to-back. By this time the sun had tried to break through - and failed. The wind just about hung in there but the beat became a gamble on each lap. Whilst the faster handicap boats fairly coped with the light wind, the Lasers were struggling. Alan Henson (Northants Fire) in a Solo was well up in the lighter conditions and Avon's new Bahia was also in amongst the Lasers. For the third time Hawkes won with Walters splitting the Phantoms on corrected time with Henson an excellent fourth. This time it was Sean Moore (Leics) who led the Lasers home with Nick Mason (Met) nearly 30 seconds behind.

Congratulations to the winner Simon Hawkes (Avon & Somerset Constabulary) who won the event for the second year running. Prizes were presented by the Commodore of Northampton Sailing Club, Ian Castle.

Northants Open Dinghy Regatta, 2010:

Click Here to view Results

Click Here to View

Pictures of the Regatta


Regatta Organiser/Contact: Sgt. Steve Middleditch,
Northants Police Sailing Section,
Wellingborough Police Station, Midland Road,
Wellingbrough NN8 1HF
Tel: 079
7-604-8795
E-mail: steve.middleditch@northants.pnn.police.uk
 

 


2009

Click here to view details of Northants Police Open Regatta, 2009 


2008

Due to the Section hosting this year's Police Nationals, the Northants Police Open Regatta 2008 did not take place.


2007
Click here to view details of Northants Police Open Regatta, 2007

 


2006
Click here to view details of Northants Police Open Regatta, 2006

  


  For earlier Northants Open Dinghy Regattas - please see 'Stats' section of this website