Maldon Town Regatta 2007

This is primarily an Old Gaffers Rally climaxing at Hythe quay. The Dinghy and Cadet race are very much also ran’s. But lets look at the Dinghy race run by Maldon S. C. The club sits on top of the saltings over looking Herring Point and Colliers Reach with Northy Island in the background, an idyllic peaceful place steeped in a maritime history.
Three visiting Merlins from Maylandsea bay joined the fleet. The sun popped in and out as the wind puffed and faded NW / N at 3 / 12 knots. The tide was on springs at a gallop, eventually flooding over the promenade and leaving Northy Island little more than a few trees poking out of the water.
The course was a well thought out affair with the avoidance of over 50 old gaffers sailing up the creek. It was more about orienteering than just a few cans to round, a splendid scene. Simon and Pies (Becky) won the start and showed good speed holding off Jacko and Lorna on a fast close two sail reach for the jibe around the number 17 green nav. mark overlooked by the promenade, in front of the outward going Thames barges with the day trippers. Simon and Pies had a race of ups and downs falling victim to the tide and being misled by others sailing a variety of variations of the course.
Ron teamed up with Wiggy, a team again with potential to lift the pot. Sadly Ron fascinated with the bird life in the saltings (with Laura missing) duffed the start, there followed a long battle with the Blazes fleet, which he finally lost by 30 seconds on corrected time.
Jacko and Lorna having gained the lead with the kite going up on the outward reaching leg to Nipper, were not to be seen again and enjoyed the sites and sounds of the day with Lorna very much in charge. The site of the huge amount of sail heading into Colliers reach and with the circumnavigation of Northy Island and the search for Clarks and New Hall marks, on the south side, and the windward leg up Southy creek as Northy Island slowly submerged, made it a notable affair. The second half sailed off Herring point and back into Colliers reach, mixing it with the Barges and Gaffers in a shifty breeze on the top of the tide, was a spiritually moving occasion. Jacko and Lorna won the day having sailed the right course.
The day ended as the sun went down at Hythe quay, the pots and trophies awarded, the free beer passed around and the singing of sea shanties and tails of “we nearly won that but…” and as the skies darkened the band arrived a small but perfectly formed group of Rocket sailors gathered in the corner of the Jolly Sailor (which has a new wood floor and big dark sofas to die in) a place not unknown to Jacko and Wiggy who were still in the (Talk Like Pirates) mode.I would like to thank all at Maldon S.C. for doing all the work in organising the day for the Dinghy race that seems to go almost un-noted; and the rugged looking captain with much hair for not squadging me off the planet at the number 10 green can off Herring point.

A set full of results, music and video to follow