Port Erin Beach Festival Sail for Gold Regatta 2015

Well, we had a superb regatta over the weekend, 14 sailors in 13 boats took to the water in Port Erin’s typically gusty conditions on Saturday and lighter steadier breeze on Sunday. The challenge of sailing in these conditions meant the racing was incredibly close and positions changed frequently on each lap. Ben Batchelor was the overall winner, but Patrick Cope, Matthew Perry and Alec Cope really made Ben work hard for the win. Going into the final race on Sunday Patrick, Alec or Ben could have won the series. It looked like Patrick might have taken victory as he lead the fleet for the first two laps, with Matthew Perry chasing close behind. Ben had a lot of work to do, but found some boat speed and managed to break the close cover of Matthew Perry to sneak through the fleet before the finish of the race. Sunday was Alec Cope’s day, sailing his RS Tera Sport incredibly well, he won both race 5 and 6.

James Arnold sailed a Laser Radial for the first time ever and looked frightening comfortable in the boat. He finished a credible 5th overall. The twins, Stephen and Ross Arnold had some close racing between them and even a synchronised capsize. Newcomers Dylan Sewell and Wilf Kermode did really well to keep in touch with the fleet, I cannot stress how high the standard of sailing is in this fleet. Some of the shots from the start line might show how ‘on the case’ these young sailors are…

It was great to see Tim Chan and Patrick Rom giving the 420 a spin (actually several spins – penalties and capsizes!), we’ll have to get that kite up next time. Peter Cope was our youngest sailor in the fleet, he did really well to handle to breeze for two races on Saturday and on Sunday in the lighter stuff he was up there mixing it with the fleet. Will Henthorn, just returning from injury sailed consistently in the middle of the fleet demonstrating a huge improvement on last year’s results. Rory Donegan showed improvement with every race and although his results were consistent by the end of the series he was up there in the front pack with Ben, Patrick and Matt.

Prizes were awarded to Wilf Kermode for best newcomer, Dylan Sewell, Rory Donegan and Alec Cope for best improvers in the series, Alec Cope also took 1st in Tera Sport Class and 2nd place overall on equal points with brother Patrick, 3rd place Matt Perry, 2nd equal Alec and Patrick Cope and the Port Erin Regatta trophy went to Ben Batchelor.

It was a great weekend, we had a lot of fun. Huge thanks to all you guys for showing up and making it such a good event.