Pattinson Cup Report WMYC
The Pattinson Cup was part of our three-day Mini Regatta which proved to be a great success, historically this race has been a back-to-back racing weekend with the RBYC’s Ralph Herring Trophy a couple of weeks before the RORC’s North Sea Race.
This year as a trial, we ran this race within the regatta on the first May bank holiday weekend which gave us eleven starters. Over the last few years, we have struggled to get support, and entries have been in single figures, so this new format for 2026 is very encouraging.
It was an 8am start at the Branklet buoy on the River Crouch to race back to Mersea, 11 yachts were looking for a good position on the start line which caused quite an exciting and vocal start, the winds were very light from the North or North East and it wasn’t long before yachts were tacking within the Buxey Channel. Our members Michael & Jason Wheeler with their Sparkman & Stevens 41 Classic Golden Fleece held their position well, but once in the Whitaker channel our Race Officers could see the fleet had parked up on the AIS, some were drifting back down the crouch and others were at anchor waiting for the breeze.
The message went out to have a shorter course and a self-timed finish at Barrow No 5. Golden Fleece finished at just after 3pm, that was still over seven hours of concentration in light and delicate conditions, three yachts retired and Golden Fleece scored second in class III.
The Regatta proved a great success with lovely silverware to be won with so much EAORA history, most yachts were out on the water for a full day for three days, one owner was delighted with these races and after competing Saturdays race which was over twelve hours, he was heard saying in the Medway YC “What a great way to learn about my boat, it would have been many two hour Sunday mornings races to match what I have learned today”
The prize giving for the Pattinson Cup & the mini regatta will be held at our end of season prize giving on 31st October at the Colne Yacht Club
East Anglian Offshore Racing Association
Paul Wood
Chairman & Club member
