More power in the tide than the wind
The early morning fog was beginning to clear as assorted, mainly classic boats crossed the start line of the Maldon Town Regatta, drifting into a faltering breeze, writes Peter Smith. The challenge soon became clear: to round the tidal mark before the flood was too strong in the faintest of zephyrs, causing boats to drift back the way they came. The smacks all made it round, and so did half the yachts, like the lovely Albert Strange Firefly, winner of the ga -rigged yachts, and the Stella Loadstar, second in classic wooden yachts class behind Black Diamond. However, many others were soon reporting their retirement to the committee boat. That first leg proved too far. Little improved with the start of the second race from Osea Island to Maldon Quay when boats drifted back on the tide. Nevertheless at the prize giving, talk was of the joy of the return of this regatta after a year’s enforced absence. The first-placed large smack was Alberta and Kate was the small smack class winner. The ga -rigged cruising yachts produced a win for Faith and a second for John Roger’s Essex Melody in the other cruising class.