Eastbourne Rally 2009 2nd – 4th May
With a fair weather forecast for the bank holiday weekend, the first decent weather for this event in three years, a total of ten NYC yachts entered the rally. Saturday, around mid-day, we set off for Eastbourne. Since the Frostbite Race had been abandoned three times due to lack of wind, it was decided make use of this leg to run this trophy race. Gary Nicholson – a recent new member – joined the rally at the last minute, and sailed creditably well single handed in his Contessa 26. Linda & Mel Wood in Capricia were first into Eastbourne.
The run down to Eastbourne was not without incident. Zeta’s cruising chute managed to wrap itself up round the forestay on a gybe, and the delay in sorting this out probably put her at the back of the fleet on handicap. The wind was almost perfect for the trip, and everyone enjoyed the day’s sailing. Saturday evening began with eleven people celebrating the journey on Zeta, followed by a splendid two course meal at the Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club. This was attended by a total of twenty four members. The turnout for the event was extremely encouraging.
On Sunday five boats had to return home, due to other commitments, which left five to enter the Sovereign Tower race. We assembled by the outfall can and started the race at 1230. With a Westerly wind, it was a comfortable broad reach both ways, and we completed the race in record time. With flukey winds close inshore on the return leg, much tacking took place to get close to the finishing buoy, and Zeta was first past the post. (That makes a change !! – no more scenic routes!). On Monday, boats left in their own time to make the return journey to Nehaven.