Over 80 boats competed in the 150th Gorey Regatta, held on Jersey’s east coast
beneath the ramparts of the imposing 13th century Mont Orgueil Castle last weekend.

Entrants from the UK and France joined Channel Island sailors for the two-day
historic event, which saw over 20 races attract cruisers, dayboats, dinghies and
catamarans.

A Force 5 westerly breeze provided challenging conditions on the first day, with
plenty of dinghy capsizes, a couple of retirements and some minor breakages.
The conditions certainly didn’t deter the competitors’ enthusiasm – not least that
of the youngsters in their Optimists who stood their ground among much bigger
craft on the congested start line.

Indeed one of their number, Fleur Moisan, was presented with a new award, the
Edward Heath Memorial Trophy, for her tenacity in the demanding conditions.
Seven Merlin Rockets and an RS 400 came over for the event from the UK and the
Merlin crews were so impressed that they promised to return to Jersey in greater
numbers in the future.

The dinghy racing on the Sunday was cancelled due to the Force 6-7 southerly wind but a cruiser race went ahead, giving some lively sailing that tested both boats and crews.