A Royal Wight Vodka Regatta in Lymington & Yarmouth

To celebrate Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee, the Royal Lymington Yacht Club and the Royal Solent Yacht Club held a joint Wight Vodka Diamond Jubilee Regatta on Saturday June 2^rd and Sunday June 3^rd.  Though the Queen was actually not able to attend due to her flotilla on the Thames and "Party at the Palace", after the Wight Vodka cocktails started flowing in the evenings, sightings of her Majesty on the quays became the centre of attention!

The race officers from both the Royal Lymington and Royal Solent divided the racers into two fleets; the Diamond Fleet, which had IRC Class 1, LH Classes 1 and 2 and the Gaffers racing with a Royal Solent race officer, and the Jubilee Fleet including the Folkboats, XODs and YODs with a Royal Lymington race officer.  

Kevin Podger, Secretary at the Royal Lymington said “What a great weekend of racing and parties.  Many thanks to the crew at Wight Vodka for supporting this regatta, as the prizes and Wight Vodka cocktails went over so well.  So fitting for a Royal weekend of close racing!”

 
Racing conditions were excellent throughout the weekend, with a 15 knot easterly on Saturday with flat water and sunshine, and a 15-20 knot westerly and against a building flood tide on Sunday, which kicked up big waves and made for an exciting day.  Unfortunately, there was one dismasting of the beautiful 100 year old yacht, Rosenn.  At the prize-giving,  Peter Scholfield, who towed Rosenn back in Xarafa, received a bottle of Wight in appreciation to a huge round of applause by all.

 
The winners and runners up by class include the IRC Class 1; 1^st Chris and Hannah Neve in No Chance, 2^nd William Newton in Jelly Baby, 3^rd Robin Taunt in Jibe. Class 2, Division 1; 1^st Tim Stevenson in Andrillot II, 2^nd Peter Blick in Charlotte, 3^rd Richard Jenner in Bonni Lady. Class 2, Division 2; 1^st Kevin Podger in Pallas Athene; 2^nd Nick Morgan in Rooie Rakker; 3^rd Richard Truscott in Unity. Gaffers; 1^st Stephen Akesterin Alice III, 2^nd Malcolm McKeon in Windflower, 3^rd Richard Rouse in Charmina.  Folkboats; 1^st Stuart Watson/M Jones in Crackerjack, 2^nd Jeremy Austin in Tak, 3^rd James Hoare/G Coulter in Samphire of Oykel, XOD; 1^st Stuart Jardine in Lone Star, 2^nd Eric Williams in Diana, 3^rd Phil and Jo Brewer in Zest. Class YOD; 1^st Puffin and 2^nd Diatom.

Ritu Manocha, the entrepreneur behind 50°North and Wight Vodka, said “The Royal Lymington and Royal Solent put on a fantastic regatta!  We are proud to be part of their Diamond Jubilee Regatta and certainly look forward to their next event!”

For more information visit Wight Vodka, the Royal Lymington Yacht Club or the Royal Solent Yacht Club.