 EAORA 2008
The East Anglian Offshore Associations annual Race Week began with the RORC/WMYC East Coast Race from West Mersea to Breskens in which the regular EAORA boats were joined by some 20 or more boats which included the Commodore of the RORC, David Aisher, in his Rogers 46 Yeoman XXXII.
The route took the fleet out of the Blackwater, around the Gunfleet and Long Sands before making for the Westerschelde in a continually increasing breeze and a finish off Breskens marina.
The main leg was a power reach across the North Sea which suited the larger, faster boats. Yeoman XXXII was first home followed by the overall winners Michael Wood and Ian Magee’s Kerr 11.3 Skipjack. When the results were unveiled, EAORA Class One had taken three of the top five places, the trend being bucked by S, J & R Galloway’s Elan 40 Titian in second (Class 2 winners) and Tony & Chuffy Merewether’s Sunfast 32 Amazon in fifth (Class 3 winners).
With very little time for recuperation, the Medway Yacht Club’s Cannon Ball Trophy started the next morning. After it’s abandonment the previous year due to lack of wind, there was plenty of breeze for the offshore race starting and finishing at Breskens. Race Officer Brian Bolton set a flexi-course that took the fleet out of the Westerschelde before an exciting downwind ride to the finish as the breeze built into the high 20s.
Paul Woodward’s new Dehler 34 RS Déjà vu made great use of the conditions and was the overall and class 2 winner. Amazon followed their class win on the feeder race with third overall and another class win. Jason & Judy Payne-James’ Dufour 44 Heartbeat III, was the Class 1 winner & 5th overall.
On the Monday the fleet made their way into the Veerse Meer, via the Walcheren Canal, for the first inshore race. The fleet stayed at Kortgene that night before further racing taking in Zierikzee and Goes before returning to Breskens on the Thursday evening. The stand out boat for the inshore racing was Stan Fenton’s J122 Jedi Knight, taking overall wins in every race.
The final offshore race of the week took the fleet down the Dutch and Belgian coasts to Ostend, an EAORA favourite haunt. One short spinnaker reach aside, the race was a beat into a stiff breeze albeit with favourable tide for most of the time. As the larger boats reached Ostend the wind began to die and the tide turned foul – it wasn’t going to be Class 3’s day! In the end Heartbeat III pulled into Ostend with a well deserved win.
At the prize giving that evening in the Royal North Sea Yacht Club, Jedi Knight were overall and Class 1 winners for the short week (East Coast and Cannon Ball races not included). Ian Hart’s Contessa 33, Ace of Hearts, were second overall & Class 3 winners & Heartbeat III 3rd overall. Déjà vu picked up the prize for Class 2 in fourth overall.
After another successful East Anglian Week, the Association would like to thank the event sponsors, AB Plant Shipping Ltd, who generously provided the fleet with T-Shirts and Flags amongst other support.
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Buckley Goblets West Mersea to Ostend
Friday 19th September 2008
Oystercatcher XXVI
2007 Overall Winner
2007 Class Winners
Class 1 Oystercatcher XXVI
Class 2 Titian
Class 3 Harvest Moon
|  The Buckley Goblets remains as it did in the inaugural season, the final race of the year – presented by JC Buckley in 1950 - although then it was limited only to larger boats (then 24ft LWL!). This year the traditional race starts on the Friday morning at 0700 for the 90 mile passage from West Mersea to Ostend. The customary hospitality of the Royal North Sea Yacht Club and of the town of Ostend ensures a great last race party. An end-of-season atmosphere pervades the race and an end-of-season hangover tends to pervade the return trip.
Organising Authority
West Mersea Yacht Club |
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Want To Get Started?
 It is not difficult to race offshore. Yachts competing have to hold an approved category 3 Safety Regulations (see resources section to the left) and an endorsed IRC Certificate 2008 which is obtainable from the RORC rating office. If you would like to know more please contact any EAORA committee member featured on the Contact list page.
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