Due to COVID-19, the second annual Alderney Regatta – which under normal circumstances would have seen yachts from all the Channel Islands, the UK and nearby France taking part in a weekend of racing and socialising – was this year restricted to Bailiwick crews. The pandemic had also forced Guernsey yacht clubs to cancel many of their major racing events.
The Bank Holiday Polygon Alderney Pursuit Race and the Alderney Regatta 2020 offered an opportunity for their members to take part in competitive racing.
The Polygon Alderney Pursuit Race was organised by the Royal Guernsey Yacht Club. On Saturday afternoon 29 August, eleven yachts and over 60 crew from Guernsey yacht clubs sailed in from Guernsey to a warm welcome and a delicious BBQ at the Alderney Sailing Club .
Alderney Regatta – Saturday 29 August: ORTAC RACE
Due to high winds and rough sea conditions, only 3 local yachts competed in this race
The Winners of the Alderney Regatta ORTAC RACE
First: “SALMON” – Skipper Hagen Voehrs
Second: “SECOND WIND” – Skipper Neil Collings
Winning all-female crew: “POLAR STAR” – Skipper Tess Woodnutt
Alderney Regatta – Sunday 25 August: CASQUETS RACE
By Sunday morning, weather and sea conditions had considerably improved and at 12:30, ten yachts from Guernsey and Alderney were at the starting line ready to compete in this challenging event.
The Winners of the CASQUETS RACE
First on Handicap. “FANDANGLE” (Guernsey) – Skipper Martin Priest
First over the Line : “KAYA II” (Guernsey) – Skipper Roger Martel
First – All Female Crew: “POLAR STAR“ (Alderney) – Skipper Tess Woodnutt
RACING RESULTS – SUNDAY 30 AUGUST
1st: “FANDANGLE” (Guernsey) Skipper Martin Priest
2ND “DARK HORSE” (Guernsey) Skipper Dino Castro
3RD “MR. SCARECROW” (Guernsey) Skipper Richard Babbé
4TH “KAYA II” (Guernsey) Skipper Roger Martel
5TH “SUN OF A GUN” (Guernsey) Skipper Richard Holmes
6th “BLUE VELVET OF SARK” (Guernsey) Skipper Nicky/Reg Barber
7th “POLAR STAR” (Alderney) Skipper Tess Woodnutt
8th “SECOND WIND” (Alderney) Skipper Neil Collings
THE OVERALL WINNER OF THE 2-DAY ALDERNEY REGATTA 2020:
“SECOND WIND” (Alderney) – Skipper Neil Collings
Monday 31 August: Polygon Alderney Pursuit Race back to Guernsey.
On Monday morning 31 August, with very little wind in their sails, ten yachts including Alderney’s “POLAR STAR” all-female crew, left Braye Harbour to complete the last leg of the Polygon Alderney Pursuit Race back to Guernsey.
Commodore Hugh Harrison, Regatta Organiser Nigel Vooght, Race Officer Bruce Woodhead and the Alderney Sailing Club Committee wish to thank all volunteers, the Harbour Office and water taxi who helped to make this such a successful weekend, and their sponsors –Rocquettes Cider – for their support.
“The competitors and the organising teams clearly enjoyed the nautical challenges of racing around Alderney as well as the social events and comradery”, said Race Officer Bruce Woodhead. “It was great to see this continued support from Guernsey’s yacht clubs. We have re-established a close partnership with Guernsey’s sailing fraternity and we look forward to organising more joint racing events”.
The date for the 2021 Alderney Regatta has already been confirmed: 28 & 29 August. Details of the racing programme and social events will be published by Spring 2020
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