Four classes of dinghy competed in this year’s Stormchaser regatta which marks the beginning of the hurricane season. Breezy conditions and a high standard of racing resulted in a thrilling two days of action.

In the youth Optimist class Derek Peene, sailing in his first regatta handled the conditions very well and showed he is one to watch for the future. Monique Hernandez gave reigning youth champ Allena Rankine a run for her money but Rankine proved too strong and ran out the winner taking the Stormchaser trophy for the first time.

In the senior division Bytes, Radials and Laser Standards fought it out with more than one “coming together”. Shane McDermott was the top Byte sailor taking third place overall. Coach Raph was full of praise. “He sailed a very steady regatta showing a steady calm and maturity when others were taking too many risks. He just gets better and better”.

In the Lasers Chris Delaney and Kelvin Browne were neck and neck sharing the lead throughout the seven races. As Race Officer Peta Adams explained “It was so close that they actually tied one of the races on time. With Chris sailing Radial and Kelvin a full rig they couldn’t be sure who was in the lead until the results were calculated at the end.” It was Delaney who eventually took the title, also a first time winner in the Stormchaser event.

Club Manager Rick Caley lamented that the Cat Boats didn’t come out this year. “We always look forward to having these wonderful boats out on the water with us and although Jerris Miller can hang on to the trophy for another twelve months, we hope they will be out again next year”.