Kestrel Class 70th Anniversary Regatta, May 16-17th

Llangorse Sailing Club were proud to host the 70th anniversary regatta for the Kestrel Class. Our club was the site where the prototype Kestrel was launched. Kestrel sailor Stewart Murdoch's report was published in Yachts and Yachting recently; photos by Steve Smyth.

Kestrel sailors from every corner of the UK travelled to the Brecon Beacons for a special event. It was just over 70 years ago that Ian Proctor first sailed the prototype Kestrel on Llangorse Lake in what was reported to have been a bitter day with hail.

The Anniversary Regatta was sailed in slightly warmer conditions which were still unseasonably chilly but this was more than made up for by the warmth of the welcome, and the close racing on both days. Race management was excellent, with all 5 races started on programme, good courses and a quick turn round between races - just what we like!

Race one started in a very light and shifty westerly, Howie Enkel and Danni Tebbutt, Maylandsea SC, started at the correct end of the line, reached the first mark first and disappeared, finishing with a significant lead. They were followed home by Stewart and Julie Murdoch, Royal Tay YC, with Malcolm and Dannielle Worsley also Royal Tay YC close behind.

Race two started as the wind swung giving the port end of the line a significant bias. Starting on port the Murdochs crossed the fleet and led the fleet round, pulling out a big lead on those who were fighting for second and third place. However, they finished to silence - maintaining their remarkable record of OCS’s.

This gave first place to Howie and Danni, closely followed again by the Worsleys who by now were starting to feel that they had in some way offended the Welsh wind gods.

Race three started in what looked like the best wind of the day. There was fierce close tacking to try to get the best from the shifts.  The leading group were overlapped at the end of the first beat and places changed frequently on the second windward leg, then it all went pear shaped. The second reach turned into a beat, then the wind vanished completely allowing the rest of the fleet to close up. Some might say it became a lottery, but your correspondent prefers to see the outcome as tactical brilliance.  The Murdoch’s crossed first, followed by Mark Pollard and Martin Walbank from Starcross SC, then David and Roz Downs from Tata Steel SC sailing the borrowed class boat. 

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Saturday evening dinner in Llangorse SC was a huge success. All those who had entered were presented with special anniversary polo shirts. There was a donated barrel of beer (thanks Mark) and we had to be thrown out to allow the club to be locked up. A very sociable evening which, for some, went on even later with live music and more beer in the local pub.

Sunday started with showers, bacon rolls and more wind. Race four and five were both windward - leeward, with a leeward gate. The finishing positions make it look processional, but it was anything but, with very close racing. It came down to having a small edge in boat speed and the tactical choices made on the beat. Howie and Danni got these correct more often than those chasing. Malcolm and Dannielle were never far behind and Stewart and Julie plugged away to finish third in both races.

The final two legs may have been a homage to Ian Proctor. The sky darkened, there were some dramatic gusts and a solid force five hit the fleet as they closed the leeward gate for the last time….. there were some dramatic moments and at least one swim. It was a tough slog back up the lake home to the club.

Finishing positions :

1st Howie Enkel and Danni Tebbutt. Maylandsea SC  Kestrel 1574 4 points

2nd Stewart and Julie Murdoch. Royal Tay YC        Kestrel 1648 9 points

3rd Malcolm and Dannielle Worsley. Royal Tay YC Kestrel 1638 9 points

4th Mark Pollard and Martin Wallbank. Starcross SC           Kestrel 1652 18points

5th Chris and Ben Grice.  Maylansea SC Kestrel 1472 18points

6th Steve Worf and Dave Hearsum. Calshot SC       Kestrel 1636 19points

7th David and Roz Downs. Tata Steel SC Kestrel 164X 21points

8th Jorrit and Toby Schrauwers. Welland YC           Kestrel  466 30points

9th Paul Wilks and Jane O’Brien.      Maylandsea SC Kestrel 1605 31points