72nd RA Keelboat Regatta Seaview 22/23 May 2018

The 72nd RA Keelboat Regatta was sailed at Seaview Yacht Club, Isle of Wight on Tue 22 and Wed 23 May 18 in 24 foot long Mermaid keelboats. Sponsorship was kindly provided by Thales. Eight boats entered; six from the serving Regiment [two from 12 Regt RA and one each from 16 Regt RA, 19 Regt RA, 29 Cdo Regt RA and RA Trials and Development Unit (TDU)], one from ATG(A) and one from the RAYC (Sleap boat).

The sailing conditions were variable with Day 1 suffering from very low winds to flat calm but fortunately Day 2 improved with steady winds. Two races were completed on Day 1 with two abandonments due to lack of wind. Day 2 saw five races completed in glorious sunshine. Despite the frustrating conditions on Day 1 the racing was very competitive over the two days but the 29 Cdo Regt RA boat achieved clear dominance over the ATG(A) boat and the remainder of the fleet.

The full results were as follows;

1st Maj Pete Jennings (NRHQ RA) 8 pts
2nd Col Neil Wilson [ATG(A)] 14 pts
3rd LBdr John Johnston (12 Regt RA A) 25 pts
4th Bdr Tom Kingsbury (12 Regt RA B) 27 pts
5th Maj (Retd) Matthew Sleap (RAYC) 28 pts
6th Sgt Adrian Parry (16 Regt RA) 28 pts
7th Maj Colin Walsh (RATDU) 30 pts
8th Sgt Mark Costin (19 Regt RA) 40 pts

A video of the event may be found
here

At the prize giving on Wednesday afternoon the following trophies were awarded by Col Neil Wilson, the Commodore RAYC;

A barbeque for the twenty three participants was held at the Club on the Tuesday night.