Bank Holiday Monday saw the Rye Harbour Sailing Club dinghies out on the water for the William the Conqueror Cup race. Sunday's weather had moderated by Monday morning with a force 3 to 4 wind but left the water choppy and unpredictable, writes Simon Marsh. Despite this, it was decided that the race could be run out at sea, round the buoys over an Olympic triangle course.
Seven boats took part – four with youngsters and three crewed by adults. A contested start was followed by some tight racing and a few anxious moments as wind and sea provided a testing time for some of the boats.
By the end, however, it was Lucy Thomas who took line honours in her Laser, Whippa Snapper only to be narrowly pipped at the post for the cup by Will Marsh's Topper, Purple Rain whose corrected time of 38:59 put him just ahead of Lucy on 40:09.
Photo: Simon Marsh
