Annual Carlier Cup Regatta 2021
On Saturday 25th September, the Club once again following a two-year gap, welcomed the Royal Engineer Yacht Club for their annual regatta and the race for the Carlier Cup against a RLymYC team.
The REYC, is the oldest Services Yacht Club with a distinguished history having competed in the first Fastnet race, won the second with Ilex and competed in every subsequent Fastnet, not forgetting their involvement in the Whitbread Round the World Race. A legacy to be proud of. The Carlier Cup is another long-established event, and all involved pleased to see it return following the Pandemic and its restrictions.
This year the RLymYC YC team comprised of three IRC rated boats Coleen ,Islay and Jelly Baby . The REYC team comprised of three similarly rated boats, Trojan, Right Royal and Gualin.
The forecast for the day predicted little wind and a 4.6 metre tide. A Race Officer’s nightmare ! However, the REYC managed to hold their morning race, and the Carlier Cup race started on time.
An imaginative course was set, keeping competitors out of the tide that would test us all.
Trojan taking the lead at the first mark continued to increase their lead followed by Jelly Baby, having made a complete mess of their first Spinnaker hoist. Coleen found the course “confusing”, and Islay sailed steadily as always.
With the variable wind the course was shortened, with Trojan beating Jelly Baby by over three minutes, followed by Gualin, Coleen and Islay over twenty-five minutes behind (on corrected time).
The unfortunate Right Royal failed to finish having sailed into an area of no wind.
The race/ races were followed by a Prize giving and Reception hosted by the Royal Engineers at the Club. The Carlier Cup produced a draw, however the unusual tie break mechanism for a team event (rule3.3) resulted in the RLymYC team, being declared the winners. Tie breaks often appear to be unfair! However, with all enjoying the REYC hospitality the RLymYC team departed leaving the Royal Engineers to enjoy their dinner.
We look forward to another match in 2022, and as competitors our thanks to all involved in organising this event.