Despite the current Covid-19 restrictions, no less than 14 yachts and over 50 crew members took part at last weekend’s annual 3rd Alderney Regatta – a great boost to Alderney’s visitor economy.
On Saturday 29 August, 9 yachts raced from Guernsey to Alderney, arriving in Braye Harbour just as Alderney’s first Regatta race to l’Ortac was taking off.
* ORTAC RACE – Saturday 28 August
4 yachts – 2 from Alderney and 2 from the UK – were competing in this race. First across the finish line were UK boats PIET HEYN followed by ELIN. ELIN came first on adjusted times. In second place was PIET HEYN and in third place was Alderney yacht SALMON skippered by Hagen Voehrs.
*GUERNSEY TO ALDERNEY RACE – Saturday 28 August
The winner of the Guernsey to Alderney Race was BlackJack, followed by Fandangle in 2nd and Kaya 2 in 3rd place.
All skippers and their crew attended a welcome reception that evening and over twenty sailors stayed on to enjoy an Indian supper at the Clubhouse prepared by Nellie Grays.
The following day’s racing programme proved a challenge for the Regatta organisers as well as the competitors. The race scheduled for Sunday was the popular “ROUND THE ISLAND” race which had to be abandoned due to lack of wind and the decision was taken to postpone this event to Monday morning 0900. However, some of the keen sailors still pursued their own unofficial race that afternoon, but all retired early.
*ROUND THE ISLAND RACE – Monday 30 August
The wind built up in time for Monday morning’s race and 7 yachts entered the competition: Three Alderney yachts Polar Star, RagTime and Second Wind competed against four yachts from Guernsey: BlackJack, Kaya2, Killing Time and Fandangle.
This event turned into a highly challenging race in more than one way (a member of a Guernsey crew suddenly found herself in deep water, but was quickly pulled back on board).
Subsequently, three boats retired from the race which was won by Kaya2. In second place, and first Alderney boat across the finish line, was Polar Star skippered by Tess Woodnutt and her all-female crew. In third place was Second Wind, another Alderney yacht -skippered by Neil Collins.
The prize presentations took place at noon just before the Alderney to Guernsey return race which started at 1430. This race was won by Kaya 2 (1st), BlackJack (2nd) and Fandangle (3rd)
But quite a few Guernsey crew members stayed behind a little longer to enjoy the island’s hospitality.
Speaking on behalf of the organisers of the Alderney Regatta, Vice-Commodore Nigel Vooght said: “We were very pleased that by re-scheduling, all the races were able to take place this weekend. The Alderney Regatta is becoming a popular event and is helping to put our island on the nautical map. We have had enquiries from both Jersey and France and we hope that by next year Covid restrictions will have been further reduced and we can look forward to a bumper number of participants. “
This year’s Alderney Regatta was sponsored by the Alderney Sailing Club and the States of Alderney.
The date for the 2022 Alderney Regatta has been set and will again take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend 27-29 August. ENDS
A large selection of photographs taken during the Alderney Regatta 2021 weekend can be downloaded from our Flickr site. https://www.flickr.com/photos/alderneysailingclub/albums/72157719743407563
RACING RESULTS IN BRIEF:
GUERNSEY TO ALDERNEY RACE – SATURDAY 29 AUGUST
1ST BlackJack, (Guernsey)
2ND Fandangle (Guernsey)
3RD Kaya 2 (Guernsey0
ORTAC RACE – SATURDAY 29 AUGUST
1ST Elin (UK)
2ND Piet Heyn (UK)
3RD Salmon (Alderney)
ROUND THE ISLAND RACE – Monday 30 August
1st Kaya 2 (Guernsey)
2nd Polar Star – first Alderney boat across the Finish Line
3rd Second Wind (Alderney)
RETURN RACE ALDERNEY-GUERNSEY Monday 30 August
1st Kaya 2
2nd BlackJack
3rd Fandangle