Broads Authority - Broads Authority competes in Blakes regatta

Added: 15/10/2007
Category: Broads Authority

Broads Authority staff from all directorates, including the Chief Executive and Director of Waterways, are competing in Blakes annual regatta at Barton Broad this week. (Monday October 15th – Thursday 18th)

Four teams from Waterways, Planning, Corporate Services, and Countryside Management will be pitting their sailing skills over the four days against regular contenders from all over Britain and Germany.

Chief Executive John Packman and Director of Waterways Trudi Wakelin will be among Broads Authority staff competing in the 110 year old Victorian yacht Zoe, the oldest charter yacht in the country, which is owned by Norfolk Broads Yachting Company and has been lent to the Authority by Blakes. Originally named Jubilee, Zoe was launched in the year of Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee. Her pretty counter stern and spoon bow are typical of the late Victorian and early Edwardian era.

John Packman said:”This is a great opportunity for Broads Authority staff, some of whom are keen sailors, to get out on the Broads and meet and compete with people who come here for their holidays. Many of the competitors are top dinghy sailors who relish the chance to compete in the big boats of the Broads –so we’ll have a tough job on our hands.”
A total of 22 Blakes yachts will be taking part in the 31st regatta, traditionally held at this time of year. They are hired from Eastwood Whelpton of Upton and Norfolk Broads Yachting Company of Horning who jointly organise the racing and provide invaluable support and customer care.

The regatta is a demanding four day schedule with three races (usually of three rounds) from Monday to Wednesday, and ladies', crews' and owners' races on Thursday. There are 15 trophies at stake which are presented at a prize giving dinner at Sutton Staithe Hotel on Thursday evening.

Tim Whelpton, who runs the Eastwood Whelpton yard, explained: "People who had been hiring boats expressed an interest in racing them. It gave all the yards an opportunity to extend the season by a week and fill the gap up to the school's half-term. The standard is very variable. We have a national champion sailing one of our yachts, while for other people this is the only sailing they do all year.”