West Midlands Police Dinghy Open Regatta

Held on Wednesday, 30th April, 2025

01/05/25: Results & Report..

Just 6 boats took part in the first West Midlands regatta held for some years. The low number was somewhat understandable with a forecast of little breeze.

It was a glorious, sunny morning - but hardly a breath of wind and certainly not enough to start sailing. Thus racing was delayed until after lunch, by which time there was enough wind to set the fleet away for a 50 minute Pursuit Race.

Gaukroger started off in the Comet Uno and got away well heading for what was presumed to be a windward mark but by then the wind was changing direction allowing Saunders and Ingram in the two Solos to quickly catch up. By half an hour of the course the fleet had concertinaed a number of times with the two Solos well ahead, Rose (Laser) isolated in the middle and Ken Jaques, helming his first police regatta, bringing up the rear.  There was lots of tacking. Saunders was 50 yds ahead of Ingram when the horn went to finish the race.

The start of Race 2

Race 2 was held back-to-back. A handicap race. Not a lot of wind made the start difficult with Ingram the first to get away. Then Rose steamed past into an early but brief lead. At the first mark positions had changed with Ingram, Saunders and Rose close together. By the first lap Ingram had established a substantial lead and by the third lap was 200 yds ahead of the second Solo. The Lasers were never going to perform at their best with the wind being so light. This gave the opportunity for The Comet Uno to gain on the first Laser. Meanwhile Knight in the second Laser found enough wind to beat the Comet Trio by a minute on corrected time.

The Organiser Harvey Rose congratulates the winner Ian Ingram (West Mids)

Once again the Shustoke Sailing Club provided excellent hosting for what, hopefully becomes an annual event.

Organiser/Contact:
Harvey Rose
Email: harvey.rose@westmidlands.police.uk