Each year, the Helm of Year competition takes place between the winningest helm from each racing fleet in the Spring and Summer Series. This hotly contested battle of the fleets takes place in Picos to help level the playing field.
This year, representatives from the Fast Cats, Dart 18s, Dart 15s, Cadets and Monohulls completed a regatta of five races in glorious sunshine with gentle winds on Saturday 14th September.
The racing took place over a short committee boat course off Osea Island, out of the strongest part of the Blackwater tides, given the light wind conditions. Following each race, competitors swapped boats to ensure no-one had an advantage/disadvantage based on boat performance.
The racing was extremely close for all races and with plenty of rule calling as the boats crossed on the start and around the course – the Dart 18 and Monohull representatives were particularly noisy in this regard.
The final standings were very close. Nigel (Dart 18s) and Dave (Monohull) were tied on points with Nigel just pipping on countback to take 4th place. John, representing the Cadets, sailed a very impressive regatta to come 3rd overall. Michaela (Fast Cats) and Jenny (Dart 15s) were also tied on points with Michaela taking the overall win on countback. Congratulations Michaela!
