OGA East Coast Race

Few events light up the Blackwater like the OGA’s East Coast Race. With recovering numbers following Covid, the eclectic variety of shapes and colours filling the estuary was once again a highlight of the east coast’s racing calendar, writes Sandy MIller. The event is always well organised, with hosts Stone Sailing Club taxiing crews to and fro ex-working boats, ga ers and classic bermudans at all hours, be they smacks, ketches, Itchen ferries, little Memory 19s or powerful cruisers. A gentle south-westerly made for a quiet start downriver but as the boats passed Bradwell south-easterly gusts suddenly hit the fleet, with chaotic seas and frenetic activity ensuing. The smacks ploughed on regardless but the 3 little Memory 19s were almost stopped in their tracks. It looked lively on board from the comfort of a smack. The smack Alberta, owned by Richard Haines, won her close battle with Peace for 1st on elapsed time to receive the Old Ga ers Trophy, with the latter finishing 2nd overall on handicap. Puritan, owned by Charlotte Cock, was 1st ga er overall on handicap, taking the winner’s pennant and James Dodds Trophy. Droleen II was the 1st Classic Bermudan, winning the Tom Felgate Cruiser Trophy. The 3 brave Memory 19s were Cadno, 1st Spirit of Tradition, Greensleeves 2nd and Titch, 3rd and the Winch Trophy for an all female crew. The boatbuilder Gus Curtis’ family bawley, Gladys, received the Privateer trophy with daughter Poppy 1st under 21 helm (leaving Gus to do the work on deck windward!).