Champagne sailing conditions welcomed competitors to the Annual Baltic Exchange Sailing Association Seaview Regatta, A solid turnout of 9 entries, from the likes of A M Nomikos, Rightship, Taylor Maritime, Fulmar, MOL & the Baltic Exchange, who would race for the Warwick Cup alongside private entries from S. Cox (Cox’s Privateers) and M. Robson (The Jolly Robson) in an America’s cup-esque showdown for the Andrew Francis Cup.
With full mains and jibs, racing got underway for the first of 6 races around the Seaview cans, starting in an Easterly direction with a solid Force 4, gusting 5. Wind over tide conditions created a few bumps along the way, but Cox’s Privateers got off to a flyer by winning the first race, aided by the fact they knew where the first buoy was whilst the rest of the fleet didnt…well done Simon! Nomikos in second followed by Fulmar.
In similar conditions but a changing tide direction, the second race went to Fulmar with Nomikos in second and Baltic MJ, helmed by Mark Jackson, in third.
Nomikos and Fulmar in a tie for the lead at lunch on 4 points apiece.
After some refreshments in the Seaview Yacht club and with the wind dropping to a bf 3 / low 4, races 3 and 4 were sailed with full mains and genoas. Nomikos continued their strong start with a 1st and 2nd whilst MOL found some boat speed and converted it into a 2nd and 1st. Third place in both races went to TMI.
At the end of day 1, Nomikos were leaders in the field on 7 points, with MOL and Fulmar tied for second on 15 points before discards.
The showdown between Cox’s Privateers and the Jolly Robson for the Andrew Francis Cup still in the balance with the boats separated by just 1 point.
Racing was followed by drinks in the sun on the deck, after which competitors donned formal attire for drinks and dinner at the Seaview Yacht club. Robbos Raffle raised an honourable £500 for the Baltic lifeboat and prizes were awarded for the race winners of the day.
Bleary eyed competitors awoke to blustery conditions on day 2, and racing resumed with reefed mains and a jib. With 1 hand already on the Warwick Cup, Nomikos required 1 good result to secure the trophy which they duly executed with a first place in race 5. MOL in 2nd and Baltic MJ 3rd. Reefs were shaken for the final race as the breeze dropped off, and TMI had their best result of the regatta securing 1st, followed by an ever-consistent Nomikos in 2nd and MOL in 3rd.
Ashore for lunch and final prize giving.
Congratulations to AM Nomikos for defending their title with a dominant display.
The Andrew Francis Cup went down to the wire with the Jolly Robson pipping Cox’s Privateers in the last by 1 place to secure the cup by a point. Congratulations to M. Robson.
A massive thanks to the Baltic Exchange for their continued support. Thank you to Clarksons, AM Nomikos, Taylor Maritime, Fulmar, MOL, Rightship and the Baltic for sponsoring race prizes. Lastly, thanks go to the Sea View Yacht Club for hosting. See you all next year.
Overall results after 2 discards applied were:
1st AM Nomikos 6 points
2nd MOL 8 points
3rd TMI 12 points
4th Fulmar 14 points
5th Baltic MJ 16 points
6th Jolly Robson 17 points
7th Cox’s Privateers 18 points
8th Rightship 27 points
9th Baltic MA 32 points