Micro Worlds 2024

Ten boats gathered on 19^th October for the highlight of the Micro racing season, the Micro ‘Worlds’ and the Gem Nationals. This represented the largest fleet since 2019, and the largest fleet of Stour Sailing Club boats ever.

As the forecast for Sunday featured gusts of 35 knots plus, Race Officers Martin and Jenny Pavey made the very sensible call to condense the normal two day format into an intense five face schedule for Saturday, with a passage race down the river Stour to the race area, followed by three two-lap windward/leeward races, and a passage race back up the river to Manningtree.

The weather for Saturday was a good 15 knot breeze, generally swinging from the south to the southwest. There was noticeably more wind on the downwind side of the river around the start line, and lighter and shiftier conditions around the top mark in the wind shadow of the Essex shore. In these challenging conditions racing was very close, with four different race winners, lively starts, and constant boat-on-boat action.

The first passage race featured a fetch off the line to Royalty buoy, followed by a short run to Hooks. Italia, sailed by Ed and Nick Evans, got their nose in front off the line, followed by Virus, sailed by Rheanna and Holley Pavey, and Muscle, sailed by Ian Pavey and Ray. This order remained during a challenging leg towards Mistley quay in a building breeze, but Virus had a excellent spinnaker hoist and edged in front to win from Italia by half a boat length.

This same three boats topped the first windward leeward race, with Italia winning from Muscle and Virus. This race also saw Ian and Stef Bloomfield in Well Done unfortunately retire after a spinnaker broach that was ultimately awarded ‘broach of the day’ against stiff competition from the rest of the fleet.

The second windward leeward race was again won by Italia, with Virus second, and Edd Harvey and Ellie Harvey-Bates sailing Geminy Cricket in third with their new red spinnaker showing excellent downwind pace.

The third and final windward leeward race broke the pattern after a wind shift to the southwest, and a series of strong gusts on the downwind legs making spinnaker handling very challenging. Muscle pulled ahead, thriving in the heavier weather. Italia was second with Ed Roberts and Kit Lee Smith sailing Pathogem in third.

The final race home saw a slight softening of conditions, but tired bodies faced an upwind race back to Manningtree, starting with some close tacking along the Suffolk shore. Geminy Cricket (after Ellie took the helm) led the fleet home, followed by a tight cluster of boats. Italia ultimately emerged second, with Muscle third.

Coming off the water there were smiles and tired limbs all around, with thanks given to Martin and Jenny for running the event like clockwork, and to the safety boat crews for making such fun, quality racing possible.

Back in the clubhouse, the results were calculated for the various trophies. In time honoured fashion all participants received a prize and a round of applause from their fellow competitors.

The Micro Worlds result was taken from the three windward/leeward races with one discard. The winner was Italia, defending their title from 2023. Muscle was second, and Virus third.

The Gem Nationals result included all five races with no discard. This title was also defended by Italia. Geminy Cricket came second, and Virus came third.

There was also a trophy for the winner of the passage race series, counting three of the four races, which can’t be won by the winner of the Micro Worlds or Gem Nationals. This was won by Geminy Cricket thanks to their win in the final race.

There are more photos from the event on Stour Sailing Club members Facebook page.

This event closed off the Micro racing season for 2024, with plans turning to winter modifications and the 2025 calendar.

Results