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A
dozen yachts, and 3 motor cruisers gathered at Somerleyton on the Friday night
in anticipation of the 2019 Perryman Memorial Race. This year, in
repetition of last year’s successful event, the Yare Valley Sailing Club were
also due to accompany the YSC. Their fleet represented a mixture of RCC,
and non-RCC yachts.
A
relatively modest Friday night was had (!) - with most aware that the 8am
riverside briefing would be 'tricky’ otherwise…
8am
- Saturday.
Briefing
delivered, the main consideration in everyone’s mind was the tide… The 1
hour ‘gate’ enables all to consider what may be their best option, but the
ebb hadn’t read the book and was dawdling.
Corsair was not competing and judged the best course of action was to leave
early (9:30) against the last of the ebb, to be far away from the melee of the
start. Also, due to a catering emergency on S/N 224 we had an appointment
at WRC to replenish their gas canister. During this brief stop-over, motor cruiser Wiggy came past, with Terry²
aboard (Cole & Secker).
Your correspondent makes no apology for the subsequent ‘gap’ in terms of racing
information, except that he is aware the majority of the fleet started in the last 10 minutes of the 1 hour ‘gate’, as best to manage the tide. The
day proved to be one of compromise, as the wind forecast was due to lighten from 1pm, so the choice was foul tide and breeze, or favourable tide and less breeze.
However,
at the head of the fleet.. Corsair was reaching down
a sun-soaked Waveney, with BBC R4 ‘Any Questions’ on and a cold beer aiding the skipper on the perilous voyage.
It
was in the vicinity of Worlingham staithe that the peace and quiet ended.
Farthing and Grayling were seen rapidly closing up from astern, their
topsails doing excellent work above the trees. Farthing passed at Aldeby, with Grayling being held off until after the finish.
Safely
moored, it was rewarding to see the yachts from at least 3 sailing clubs arrive
through the afternoon, YSC, YVSC and GWYC all being represented. The ‘sea
breeze’ had come in, greatly assisting things.
Special mention must go to Marigold, who with the bit between their
teeth, had passed Force Four in the final reaches of the course, going on to
finish ahead of them on the water by a comfortable margin.
Results completed by late afternoon, with all competitors soaking up the sunshine and refreshments at Beccles the prizegiving began. Will Armour, our Commodore, had invited Linda Perryman to present the trophy. Unfortunately the first placed vessel, Morning Calm, wasn’t able to take this home, due to being on a provisional handicap, so it was awarded to Pandora III, whose success was solely attributed to the sterling work of her crew, Rachael.
An excellent BBQ followed, with special thanks to our hosts - Beccles Amateur Sailing Club.
JF
