Kent Schools Sailing Association Regatta 2004 Broadstairs Sailing Club

In bright sunshine but on the cold morning of 25th September forty-six boats from all parts of Kent descended upon Viking Bay, Broadstairs for the annual Kent Schools Sailing Association Regatta, the competition being hosted by Broadstairs Sailing Club and sponsored by Sericol. Prior to the racing the Chairman of Kent County Council Kent Tucker presented the prestigious Chairman's Cup to Mark Heather who has raced for many years in not only the county, but also nationally and internationally.

The fleet launched in greying skies and into a big swell on the waves entering the harbour. The fleet was divided according to experience with the novice sailors sailing four races on a course close to shore whilst the more experienced sailors raced three races offshore on a larger course. For some of the novice sailors it was the first time they had sailed in such conditions but everyone left the shore. The wind was ideal but the sea temperature and air chill was unexpected and many sailors were pretty cold by the end of the second race, which coincided with a lunch stop. The surf coming ashore proved quite a challenge which most managed to conquer unaided.

The commencement of the afternoon races was greeted with drizzle, which had no adverse effect on morale. With the tide having turned a few competitors had to rapidly make up ground coming up to the starts but only two boats were over at the start line throughout the entire day, a testament to the energy the sailors have played in practising starting. Competition was again fierce and strategic battles were won and lost but the sailing skills of the high flyers was evident.

Results in the offshore races:

James Blackman was the first Under 14 sailing in a Topper. The overall winner was Robert Waite sailing a laser radial. Lucy Heather and Helen Stubbs racing an RS200 finished second overall and took the Girls Trophy as well as the Handicap Cub with Broadstairs’s Tim Ellis taking third overall in his laser radial. Chloe Martin was the first laser 4.7 and came fifth overall. Taking eighth place and highest Topper was Broadstairs’s Ed Cowell. Sir Roger Manwoods School wont the Best School Award.

Results from the inshore course:

Robert Payne won the Cranbrook Trophy for best helm sailing a school boat and was seventh overall. Broadstairs’s Lewis Stone was the second Topper behind Georgia Trapp. The Prelude Plaque was awarded to Olivia Trapp for winning overall in her Optimist.