The Wivenhoe Town Regatta Day started with sunshine and a lot of wind. By the time the racing boats were preparing to start off Bateman’s, there was rain and even more wind. With a SSW5 blowing and squally conditions, and SW 5 to 7 forecast, the Smacks, Gaffers, Classic yachts and Cruisers started their races with in-river courses. This caused some problems with a lack of water around number 22, but the Race Officer felt that in-river courses would allow more of the smaller boats to race, who might have found the conditions outside very unpleasant.

As the time for the BOD race approached the conditions had not eased, but two boats appeared and made their way out of the Creek towards the line: Jean and Sarah Louise. As they jilled about, a spinnaker even briefly appeared! Choosing a course for them was easy, with an eight mile race in the river being selected, and at 1430 they started. Less than an hour and a half later Jean crossed the line at Wivenhoe, followed five minutes afterwards by Sarah Louise.

This year marked the arrival of a proper trophy for the BOD Race: an engraved glass one – the Margaret Abraham Memorial Trophy. This was presented by Mr & Mrs Higbee in memory of their mother/mother-in-law, who enjoyed many years of watching the boats finish at Wivenhoe regattas. This was presented at the slightly damp, but very cheery prizegiving, where all of the racers gathered to enjoy the free beer and BBQ.

The weather was essentially horrible, but many racing boats said they’d enjoyed the excitement of the race and enjoyed attending the regatta.