2026 Early Season Regatta MAY

Posted: Thursday, 7th May 2026

East Anglian Offshore Racing Association 

After declining support for the traditional opening weekend of the EAORA programme, the format was shaken up this year with the introduction of a three-day, three-race mini regatta on the early May Bank Holiday weekend.

It was a great success, attracting twice as many entrants, and despite frustratingly light conditions which tested competitors and race officials alike, was hugely enjoyed - very encouraging for the future of EAORA.

DAY ONE: Medway YC’s JANES CUP – Harwich to Medway

A shortened course still didn’t get all 12 starters finished in under 12 hours, but for some it was a great chance to get to know their boats again after a long winter’s refit. Philip Clarabut, Commodore of Medway YC, was on the finish line at buoy Z2 (north of Stangate Creek), a patient race officer waiting for the wind to fill in, but it didn't happen and for some yachts it wasn't even 1.5 knots over the ground to the finish line against the ebb tide.

The prizegiving was held at Medway YC, all the EAORA boats moored on the hammerhead, and the club provided hot food and a late bar.

IRC:

 Overall:

1 Ape-X, X332, Robert Leggett, Haven Ports YC,

2  Warrior, A40RC, Simon Farren, Colne YC,

3 Katla, J30, Ian Pavey, Stour SC.

Two handed: Warrior

Class I: Warrior

Class II: Ape-X

Class III: Katla

YTC:

1 Warrior

DAY TWO: Royal Burnham YC’s RALPH HERRING Trophy – Medway to Burnham

The 12 boats raced from the Medway to Burnham on Crouch, joined by Countdown, a Sigma 33 from Medway YC. Another calm day was forecast with light southerlies.

Congratulations to David Evans with Hustler 32 Hullabaloo XV who won the Ralph Herring Trophy, only a minute ahead of Katla on corrected time after the fleet kedged up for over an hour waiting for wind.

The prizegiving was held at Royal Burnham YC. The Ralph Herring Trophy was presented to David Evans by Stephen Herring. Their friendship on the water exceeds half a century. The club also provided hot food and late bar.

IRC:

Overall:

1 Hullabaloo XV, Hustler 32, David Evans, Walton & Frinton YC,

2 Katla

3 Countdown, Sigma 33, Quentin Strauss, Medway YC

Two handed: Loki, Dufour 36, James Fisher, St Helier YC

Class I: Warrior

Class II: Ape-X

Class III: Hullabaloo XV

YTC:

1 Katla

DAY 3: West Mersea YC’s PATTINSON Cup – Burnham on Crouch to West Mersea.

There were 11 yachts on the start line at the Branklet buoy on the River Crouch to race back to Mersea. It was an exciting start, with very light winds from the north or north east and it wasn’t long before yachts were tacking within the Buxey Channel - making rather slow progress. Race officer Andy Wise shortened the course and there was a self-timed finish at Barrow No 5.

IRC:

Overall:

1 Warrior

2 Imposter, Corby 33, Robin Page, Colne YC

3 Ape-X

Two handed: Warrior

Class I: Warrior

Class II: Ape-X  

Class III: Katla

YTC: Warrior

The Regatta proved a great success with lovely silverware won with so much EAORA history. Yachts were out on the water for a full day three days running. After competing in Saturday’s race which took more than twelve hours, one owner was heard saying: “What a great way to learn about my boat. It would have been many two-hour Sunday morning races to match what I have learned today.” It was EAORA’s first event using the new racing software Nautical Cloud, which proved very popular, helpful to competitors and organisers alike.

Congratulations to all the competitors for persevering in light conditions for the whole event, and thank you to member clubs, race officers and volunteers on the committee boats.

Prizes for the Pattinson Cup and the Mini Regatta overall will be presented at EAORA’s end of season prizegiving at Colne YC on October 31.

Full details are at www.eaora.org.uk

REGATTA OVERALL – three days racing no discards

IRC: Details to follow

Overall: Details to follow

 

 

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