The RCOD fleet was the envy of the club last weekend as its regatta coincided with barmy weather conditions, clear blue skies and the River Crouch looking at her very best. Yes, we could have done with a tad more wind on Sunday, but you can’t have everything!

On Saturday we had nine boats on the start line which made for a great spectacle with race officer Edwin Buckley laying a windward/leeward course to take advantage of perfect conditions. In the afternoon our numbers were swelled when we were joined by the RBODs, a fleet which is preparing celebrations for its 90th anniversary next year.

There were a number of people who made their debut for our regatta, among them were Ian and Patricia Brand  after Mike Apps kindly agreed to loan Coryphee for the weekend. We also welcomed back Emma Rigler, who had previously crewed for the late Bobby Melville and this time joined the Brands for a very successful first outing.

As for the racing, needless to say It was close. Team Cormorant – Justin Waples, Steve Rands, Nicola Hastwell and Charlie Bacon – won the weekend by a point,  beating the Bacon team – Nick, Becky and Colette –  on Corella;  Martin Makey, Phil Green and Karen Aylen on Corinna came third.  Over the two days every boat had its turn at the front; out of six races we had five different winners with Corsair, Stuart Munro, Andy Barr and Fi Bell,  showing lots of guile in tricky light conditions on Sunday morning to take top spot.

For the second year running RCOD supporters escaped a fundraising due to Covid restricting our party plans but rest assured we will return next year to raise the £15000 needed to finish Coral Nymph. As many of you know,  our class mission is to get all 12  remaining RCODs out on the water, either  through fractional or individual ownership,  making us the Magnificent Twelve. This would create one of the most active fleets in the club and the weekend provided the perfect advert for that ambition.

As ever lots of thanks to Team Phoebe and to Tony and the catering team for ensuring everything ran smoothly.