2024 UK EAST COAST CHAMPIONSHIPS

Micky Wright and Alex Porteous, sailing  Spoof 811, won the 2024 edition of the Squib East Coast Championship, hosted by Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, over the late May Bank Holiday weekend, 25th and 26th of May 2024.

The light winds on the morning of Saturday forced the Race Officer, Edwin Buckley, to AP the 24 boats strong fleet until the proverbial sea breeze filled in at midday.

The wind coming in, the race course was set just past the two infamous commercial buoys, who, despite the warning during the pre race briefing, produced the first nomination for the highly not coveted Dick of the Day jacket.

The first race of the day saw Rojo 32, Richard Tucker crewing for Stewart Mears, take an early lead, so early that they were deemed OCS.

Ian Scott & Iona Martin, on Squabble 854, had a perfect race, leading from start to finish, followed by Robert Coyle & Mark Rawinsky on Humphrey 823 and Duncan Grindley & Julia Batchelor, on Surprise 760.

The second race saw Micky & Alex take their first bullet of the regatta, with Chris & Gillian Jordan, on Croc 855, taking the second place and Dave Hyde, helmed by Steve Hall, on Sophie 846 on third.

Tide turning saw the fleet switch from short tacking, to using the entire width of the river on upwind legs and very close downwind runs on the north shore.

Micky and Alex got their second win, with Gold Cup Winners Jack Grogan and Chris Agar, Crash Helmut 105, on second and Brian and Jenny Riley, Brimstone 73, taking the third, while ROJO, finally not OCS or UFD, took the fourth.

Due to a forecasted thunderstorm for the Sunday, the RO took the decision to run a fourth race on the day, which got under way after a few technical difficulties.

The race was won by Jack & Chris, with Brian and Jenny coming in second, Steve & Dave on third and Micky & Alex on fourth.

The first day of the regatta ended with Micky & Alex on first, followed by Jack & Chris and Brian & Jenny on equal points.

The very tired fleet was greeted by a Mediterranean Night hosted by Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, with delicious food and live music.

The stronger, south westerly wind sent the fleet to the mouth of the River Roach for the second day of racing.

The fifth race saw Micky & Alex lead end to end and take the third win, followed by Malcolm Hutchings & Andy Carley on Lady Penelope 819 and Brian & Jenny on third, with Crash Helmut being UFD.

Race 6 saw Nemesis 806, Ray Apthorp & Trevor Bawden cross the start line first and lead the front of the pack for most of the race, but due to an unfortunate choice at the leeward gate, they had to give way for Steve & Dave for first, Micky & Alex in second and Jack & Chris on third, with Malcolm & Andy on fourth.

The seventh and final race of the regatta saw Jack & Chris battle at the top with Chip Cole & David Smith on Dark n Stormy 787 and Dan Wastnage, RCYC Squib Class Captain & Jo Tribe, Firework 192, while Brimstone and ROJO, along with Guy Fawkes 72, Phil Aspinall & Dave Sheppard, seemed dead set to make some trouble Micky & Alex.

Eventually Jack & Chris won their battle with Chip & David, for first and second, Brian & Jenny taking the third, Dan & Jo on fourth and Micky & Alex on fifth.

The final results saw Micky & Alex on first, Jack & Chris on second and Brian & Jenny on third.

“It was a fantastic regatta with extremely close competitive racing”, Alex said. “The sailing was challenging with Saturday’s lighter winds and then the stronger breeze on Sunday providing something for everyone.

“An excellent warm up to the Nationals which are now just 3 weeks away and I’m sure will be equally competitive”.

With the visiting boats lifted, the fleet attended the Prize Giving Dinner, a 3 course meal provided by Royal Corinthian Yacht Club.

Along with the East Coast Championship trophy, the day saw young Magnus Wilson receive a prize for being the youngest competitor, at 10 years old.

His dad, Rowland Wilson, in his acceptance speech for the Dick of the Day Jacket, for the Saturday incident with the commercial moorings, announced his retirement from “getting the jacket for my helms”, a statement disbelieved by everyone.

The fleet will be heading North, to the Royal Forth Yacht Club, in Edinburgh, for the National Squib Championships 2024.

Overall Results: