This Page provides details of Northamptonshire Police Sailing Section, their local regattas and related information.

2011

The Northants Police Open Regatta will not take place this year.

Local Regatta dates for 2011 :

Regattas start at 2pm on Thursday afternoons (except where shown below) at Northampton Sailing Club, Pitsford Reservoir.

19th April (Tuesday), 5th May, 19th May, 9th June
14th July*, 25th August, 8th September, 22nd September

*Northants Fire Service v. Northants Police regatta details for 14th July and race results - see below.

The Police & Fire teams with the NSC Commodore, Rob Jackson.
Full Picture-Gallery below ..

19th April, 2011
Despite a depleted Section this season the three boats that took to the water enjoyed balmy conditions with a gentle breeze from the North-east. With the Section's secretary present, but unable to compete, the races were organised from the clubhouse jetty.

Race One saw Dearsley get well away from the start on the triangular course. It became important to avoid the odd holes in the wind and by the second lap Osborne managed to find a lift in the wind to bring him to the windward mark ahead; a lead which he maintained until the end of the race.

With the wind maintaining enough strength to consider a larger course Race Two was set to include two beats on the way to buoy 'B' with reaches and runs down to the leeward buoy at 'C'. This time Osborne managed to get ahead soon after the start and managed to make it two wins in a row. The wind decided to drop somewhat and the course was shortened to one lap as this alone had taken nearly 30 minutes.

Thus Race Three was set on a smaller course; this time a square. Again Osborne created a healthy lead but decided to sail away to the horizon, following the course of the previous race... Dearsley took the opportunity to overtake but just allowed his boom to touch a flag mark used on the course, did his penalty and this allowed Osborne to catch up but never quite get past and the two leading boats crossed the finishing line within a few seconds of each other.

5th May, 2011
Recent days had been very windy and the weather for the regatta was not quite as strong with a maximum gust of around 26mph. More of a problem was wind direction which turned from north-east to south-east during the three races.

Race One saw Dearsley, Osborne and Sivers take to the water a a quick race round a triangle which consisted mainly of reaching legs which made for some exciting sailing albeit the race became a procession with Dearsley, after having an excellent start, being well out in front from start to finish.

For Race Two there were 4 starters with Middleditch joining in. Again, the mainly onshore breeze made for a running start with Dearsley perfectly timing the start whilst Osborne, having been less than two seconds over the line was committed to re-starting and losing almost two minutes. Middleditch, still not quite awake from night duty was another late starter and Dearsley was never headed.

Race Three was a 'figure of eight' - at last providing something of a beat but also some splendid reaching legs. The first two laps caught the strongest wind of the afternoon but then the wind dropped which allowed the 4 Lasers to bunch up for the finish with Dearsley being the first to cross the finish line.

19th May, 2011
With only two boats turning out, Sivers & Dearsley made it a race down to Holcot. On a pleasant day in the light airs, it took over 1½ hours to return ashore. Just the one race was held.

9th June, 2011
Only two competitors turned out. It has been agreed to give a single 'walkover' result for the day.

14th July, 2011 -       (Northants Police v. Northants Fire Service)
 
The forecast had been for light winds but with a distinct low bringing rain into East Anglia, the resultant winds made for stronger conditions than forecast. The three races were held in good weather but in winds that forever changed directions making problems for the Race Officer.

Race One. Course: M P W D . The Race got away on time but with a number of competitors shy of the line. The changeable wind at the gun made for a distinct bias for the port end of the line with Emberson (Fire Phantom) and Sivers (Police Laser) getting the benefit setting off well ahead up the beat. Behind came the other Lasers with the Sherratts in the Merlin Rocket slowly getting up through the field after a late start. The 'figure of eight' course gave no particular advantage to any boat class but catching the gusts made the fleet concertina throughout the race. The regatta is a team event and points were fairly equal after the first race.

Race Two. Course: X W C D . After a short recess ashore, boats were keen to get away for the next race. This time, the Fire Service Merlin made no mistake and reached the first mark 'X' together with the Phantom. However, being a port mark, the buoy became a little tricky to negotiate in the gusts as boats approaching were confronted with those ahead gybing round the mark and cutting across the bows of boats behind... Nevertheless, there were no mishaps and the fleet enjoyed some good reaching round the course for the 2-lap race. Points for the race were level and results in the last race would be crucial.

Race Three raced back-to-back. Course: P M W D - a 'square'. As the wind direction altered the position of the start line and some buoys were changed. The beat to 'P' was followed by a very close reach to 'M', then a dead run to 'W', another fairly close reach to an altered position 'D' buoy and back through the line. The start was delayed whilst the start line angle was again altered. This made the starboard end slightly favoured and all boats were ready on the line to start. A good first beat was crucial and Police boats got tangled up allowing the Fire boats to tack away on port into clear air. Positions in the back half of the fleet became as important as in the lead boats. This time the Fire Laser Radial having had a good start, kept the pressure on the Police full-rigs and with the wind increasing slightly, the two leading Fire boats were sent round for an additional lap. Results would be interesting..

Team points to count were based on final overall positions. The Scorer's calculations made it a tie based on three boat's results counting. The Fire Service team were magnanimous in deciding that all four boats of each side should count albeit the fourth boat of the Fire team never made a finish, thus giving the win to the Police for the first time in this annually held regatta.

Thanks are due to the Northampton Sailing Club and Northampton Sailability who provided personnel and facilities to ensure the smooth running of the event. The regatta had been held in a most convivial atmosphere both on and off the water and enjoyed by all participants.

25th August, 2011
Two races were held on a pleasant afternoon where the wind varied anywhere between 0 and 15 mph. Three Lasers took part and racing was surprising close.

25th August, 2011
Racing cancelled.

22nd September, 2011
 
Two competitors only for the final regatta.  As it was, Sivers & Dearsley completed the one race to decide the eventual winner of this year's series. A race to Holcot and back gave Martyn the opportunity to try out a number of the 25 tips noted at last weekend's 'Laser Activation Day'. Maybe a hollow victory on the day but congratulations to Martyn who was highly supportive of our regattas throughout the season and recently took part in the Police National Championships

NPSC - Previous winners of the local regatta series: